To promote astronomy education and enhance the general public’s knowledge of the planets of the solar system, Chunghwa Post has issued a souvenir sheet with eight stamps, each valued at NT$8. These high-resolution images obtained through scientific observations reveal the magnificent beauty of the solar system, serving as both a source of scientific learning and visual beauty. A description of the stamps follows:1. Earth is our home and the only planet known to harbor life. The famous “Earthrise” photograph, taken by an Apollo 8 astronaut in 1968. The image contrasts the Moon’s gray dullness with the warm blue and white hues of Earth. 2. Venus is similar in size to Earth, making it Earth’s sister planet. However, a runaway greenhouse effect makes it the hottest planet in the solar system. In 1990, the Magellan spacecraft orbited Venus and scanned its surface to understand its structure, volcanic activity, and geological history.3. Saturn is the second-largest planet and has a magnificent ring largely composed of tiny ice crystals. Bright and expansive, it is a favorite planet among many amateur astronomers. In 2004, the Hubble Space Telescope recorded lively auroras at its poles.4. Mars has a diameter that is half that of Earth, and its surface is rich in iron oxide, which is red, giving it the name Red Planet. In 1998, the Mars Global Surveyor photographed its north polar ice cap, the widest and deepest canyon in the solar system, Valles Marineris, and the highest volcano, Olympus Mons.5. Neptune is the planet farthest from the Sun and the only one not visible to the naked eye. In 2022, an infrared image from the James Webb Space Telescope revealed a complete ring system around Neptune. The bright area in its southern hemisphere indicates the presence of methane ice clouds in its upper atmosphere.6. Uranus’s axis is tilted at almost 98 degrees, which is its unique signature. As a result, it orbits the Sun and has the most marked seasonal difference in the solar system. In 2023, the James Webb Space Telescope revealed that Uranus has rings and that its apparent north pole is illuminated by sunlight.7. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Its most notable feature is the Great Red Spot, a massive storm that has been raging for several hundred years. When the Hubble Space Telescope photographed the Great Red Spot in 2014, the shadow of Jupiter’s third moon, Ganymede, fell within it, just like a giant black eye.8. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. Its surface is covered with craters. In 2011, the MESSENGER spacecraft entered Mercury’s orbit and took several thousand pictures, providing the first complete map of Mercury, revealing its surface chemistry, mineral distribution, and geological history.To purchase postage stamps, please go directly to the post office branches, Postal Museum or order online at https://stamp.post.gov.tw.