aurora

Auroras

aurora

Below is a checklist of Aurora postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.). Catalog numbers, years of issue, and notes on the items featured are given when available. If readers know of additional information or images, please contact the authors using the e-mail addresses at the bottom of this page.

This page contains all known items with depictions of auroras, which may be very realistic (e.g. based on photographs), or artistic, or even symbolic. Some items with aurora-related text are also included: cancels from post offices called "Aurora", items with the word "aurora" in a historical context, and items referring to the Australian icebreaker and research and supply ship Aurora Australis, which was named specifically for the phenomenon of the auroras. Philatelic items that feature the word "aurora" in biological names (e.g. of butterflies or flowers), or in contexts other than those mentioned above, are not included.

The science of the auroras is intimately linked to the science of space weather. Philatelic items referring to auroras in that general context are found in the Space Weather page. Earth's auroras as well as those of some other planets have been observed from space by both manned and un-manned spacecraft. Philatelic items that depict such auroras are also considered to be space weather items and are included in the Space Weather page, where they are highlighted in green.

Launch covers
(including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers)
(farther below)
Other postal items
(stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.)
(immediately below)
Auroras Auroras


Below is a list of Auroras on postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.).

CountryCatalog NumberType of ItemYear of IssueNotes on Content
Aurora (on Stamps)
Aland (Finland)419 (Mi470)2019
Aland (Finland)419 pairsFour gutter-pairs
Aland (Finland)419 fdcStamp and (pictorial) cancel and (blue printed) cachet on FDC
Aland (Finland)NonePostcard back, also front2019
Antigua and Barbuda3283c (Mi5274)One of MS4 (3283 (a-d)) (Mi5272-5275)2015
Argentina2966d (Mi3927)One of MS4 (2966 (a-d)) (BL181, Mi3924-3927)2022Aurora Australis in Antarctica at the Belgrano II Base
Argentina2966 fdcMS4 on FDC
Argentina2966 brochureBrochure outside
Australia4161 (Mi4171)From strip of 2 (4162a (4161-4162)), or from MS4 (4164b (4161-4164))2014"southern lights"
Australia4162 (Mi4172)
Australia4163 (Mi4173)From strip of 2 (4164a (4163-4164)), or from MS4 (4164b (4161-4164))
Australia4164 (Mi4174)
Australia4161 maxiMaxicard
Australia4162 maxiMaxicard
Australia4163 maxiMaxicard
Australia4164 maxiMaxicard
Australia4161-4164 packFour stamps and MS4 in stamp pack
Australia4162a+4164a fdc1Two strips of two and (Hobart) cancel and (Australia Post?) cachet on FDC
Australia4162a+4164a fdc2Two strips of two and (Hobart) cancel and (WCS/Wesley) cachet on FDC
Australia4162a+4164a fdc3Two strips of two and (Australia Post?) cachet on FDC (Rosebud cancel)
Australia4164a fdcStrip of two stamps and (Hobart) cancel and (Australia Post?) cachet on FDC
Australia4161-4164 bl4 fdcBlock of 4 stamps from MS4 and (Australia Post?) cachet on FDC (Rosebud cancel)
Australia4164b fdc1MS4 and (Hobart) cancel and (WCS/Wesley) cachet on FDC
Australia4164b fdc2MS4 and (Hobart) cancel and (Australia Post?) cachet on FDC
Australia4165 (Mi4175)Self-adhesive, from strip of 2 (4165-4166)
Australia4166 (Mi4176)
Australia4166a (MH618)Self-adhesive booklet pane of 10 in booklet
Australia4165-4166 fdcSelf-adhesive strip of 2 and (WCS/Wesley) cachet on FDC
Australia4166a fdcSelf-adhesive booklet pane of 10 stamps and (WCS/Wesley) cachet on FDC
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL4 fdc (Mi1 fdc)(WCS) cachet on FDC1957
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL8 (Mi8)1966Aurora and auroral observation camera
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL81 (Mi88)1991"Aurora Australis"
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL81 maxiMaxicard
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL81-L82 fdcOne of two stamps on FDC
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL81-L82 folderFolder
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL117m (Mi137)One of MS20 (L117 (a-t)) (Mi125-144)2001
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL119a (Mi149)One of block of 4 (L119 (a-d))2002
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL119a maxiMaxicard
Australian Antarctic TerritoryKM1081$5. (silver coin)2009"Aurora Australis", also IPY logo
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL236 (Mi?)One of MS4 (L237a (L234-L237))2020"Nuyina means "southern lights" in palawa kani, a composite Tasmanian indigenous language. The name links the vessel not only to Australia and the atmospheric phenomenon associated with the southern latitudes, but also to its immediate predecessor, the RSV Aurora Australis, and to Douglas Mawson's earlier vessel, the SY Aurora".
Australian Antarctic TerritoryL237a fdcMS4 on FDC, also back (Australia Post cachet/back)
British Antarctic Territory11 (Mi11)1963
British Antarctic Territory35 (Mi35)11 surcharged new (decimal) currency1971
British Antarctic Territory39 (Mi39)1971
British Antarctic Territory40 (Mi40)
British Antarctic Territory41 (Mi41)
British Antarctic Territory42 (Mi42)
British Antarctic Territory39-42 fdcFour stamps on FDC
British Antarctic Territory145 (Mi148)1988"Aurora over South Ice"
British Antarctic Territory237 (Mi247)1996Also "SCAR XXIV 1996"
British Antarctic Territory235-238 fdc1One of four stamps on FDC
British Antarctic Territory235-238 fdc2One of four stamps on FDC (different)
British Antarctic Territory284 (Mi297)1999"The electric field associated with the aurora" (measured with an ionospheric antenna array)
British Antarctic Territory280-284 fdcOne of five stamps on FDC, also insert
British Antarctic Territory358 (Mi405)2005
British Antarctic Territory400a (Mi479)One of strip of 5 (400 (a-e)), or four of MS20 (400f (4x (400 (a-e)) + 5 labels)2008
British Antarctic Territory400b (Mi480)
British Antarctic Territory400c (Mi481)
British Antarctic Territory400d (Mi482)
British Antarctic Territory400e (Mi483)
British Antarctic Territory452 (Mi626)Stamp-on-stamp: 112013
British Antarctic Territory465 (Mi653)2013Aurora above "Halley VI Research Station"
Canada322 (Mi283A)1953
CanadaNone(Text) cancel1957Aurora ON (post office)
CanadaNone(Aurora report) envelope1957addressed to Auroral Centre, IGY, National Research Council, Ottawa
Canada454 (Mi398Ax)From MS50 (50x 454)1967
Canada454 misperfMis-perforation error
Canada454a (H-Blatt68 from MH54)Booklet pane of 5
Canada454fPrinted on gummed side
Canada454xx454 pre-cancel
Canada454b (H-Blatt74 from MH59)Booklet pane of 5, also BK59 front1968
Canada454c (H-Blatt71 from MH56)Booklet pane of 10, also BK56 front and back
Canada454d 1-side (Mi398Fx)Perforated 10 x 10, imperforate on 1 side
Canada454d 2-sides (Mi398Gx)Perforated 10 x 10, imperforate on 2 sides
CanadaNone(Aurora report) envelope1968addressed to Auroral Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa
Canada454e (Mi398Hx)Perforated 12.5 x 12, on booklet panes: 543a, 543b, 544a, 544b, 544c, 544q, 544r, 544s1971
Canada454ep (Mi398AyII?)Perforated 12.5 x 12, different
Canada454p_WCB (Mi398AyI?)WCB (Winnipeg Centre Bar) phosphor tag
Canada454p_W2B (Mi398AyI?)W2B (Winnipeg Two Bar) phosphor tag1972
CanadaNone(Text) cancel on cover1975Aurora ON (post office)
Canada742 (Mi670)1977Aurora in the form of angels
Canada742 fdcStamp(s) on FDC
Canada1562 (Mi1493)1995
Canada1953a (Mi2059)One of BK260 booklet of 5 (1953 (a-e)) (MH0-274; Mi2059-2063), with BK260 front2002"Northern Lights, NT - Aurores boréales, T.N.-O." (same design as Canada envelope 2006)
CanadaNonePrinted stamp on postal card, also back2002"Northern Lights, NT - Aurores boréales, T.N.-O." (same design as Canada 1953a)
CanadaNonePrinted stamp on letter-size stamped envelope2006Aurora Borealis over Northwest Territory (same design as Canada 1953a)
CanadaNonePrinted stamp (same) on legal-size stamped envelope, also back
CanadaKM-unknown1$2. (bi-metal coin) reverse, also obverse2017
CanadaKM-unknown2$2. glow-in-the-dark (bi-metal coin) reverse, also obverse
CanadaKM-unknown3$10. (silver coin) reverse, also obverse
Canada3006a (Mi3507; MH0-600)BK672 booklet front, also back, with booklet pane of 82017
Canada3006 fdc(Blue and yellow printed) cachet on FDC, also back
CanadaNonePersonalized postage2017
CanadaNonePostcard back, and front with Personalized postage2017"northern lights" (on postcard front)
Canada3056i (Mi3586)One stamp and in (upper-left) margin of MS9 (3056 (a-i)) (BL272, Mi3578-3586)2018
Canada3069 (Mi3595C)Coil stamp (die-cut 8-1/4)
Canada3078 (Mi3595)Self-adhesive (die-cut 9-1/4) from BK693 booklet of 6 (3078a (6x 3078)), also back
Canada3102b (Mi3629)One of MS2 (3102 (a-b)) (BL276, Mi3628-3629)2018Also "northern lights" (in booklet back), and "northern lights (aurora borealis)" (in FDC back)
Canada3102 fdcMS2 FDC, also back
Canada3104 (Mi3631)Self-adhesive, five of BK702 booklet pane of 10 (3104a (5x (3103-3104)) (MH0-624; Mi3630-3631), with booklet front and back
CanadaKM-unknown1$5. (silver coin) reverse, also obverse2018
CanadaKM-unknown1 folderFolder, also back
CanadaKM-unknown2$5. (silver coin) reverse, also obverse
CanadaKM-unknown2 folderFolder, also back
Canada3308 (Mi?)In (upper-left) margin of MS3 (3308 (a-c))2021
Canada3308 fdcMS3 and (Canada Post) cachet on FDC, also back
CanadaNone(Canada Post) cachet on stamped envelope, also insert2021
Canada3361 (Mi3968)From MS5 (3361a (5x 3361))2022
Canada3362 (Mi3969)Self-adhesive
Canada3362 fdcSelf-adhesive stamp and (Canada Post) cachet on FDC, also back
Canada3362 bk (MH706)Self-adhesive booklet pane of 10 (10x 3362), also booklet front and booklet back
Central African RepublicMi4156-4159_ms4In background of MS4 (Mi4156-4159)2013Also "Aurora australis" (in SS1 text)
Central African RepublicBL1045In background of SS1
Central African RepublicBL1045 fdcSS1 on FDC
Central African RepublicMi15220-15225_ms6MS6 (Mi15220-15225)2023
China (People's Republic)NonePrinted stamp on stamped envelope1989
China (People's Republic)NonePostcard back, also front1995
China (People's Republic)3216 (Mi3373)From MS17 (3216a (17x 3216))2002
China (People's Republic)3216 maxiMaxicard
China (People's Republic)3215-3217 fdcOne of three stamps on FDC
China (People's Republic)None(Multi-color printed) cachet (with reproduction of CPR 3216) on cover2003
China (People's Republic)None(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on cover, also back2004ship Aurora Australis (in cachet); "Aurora Australis" (on back)
Comoro Islands937c (Mi1738)One of MS3 (937 (a-c)) (Mi1736-1738)1999
Congo (Democratic Republic)BL231A
BL231B
In (upper) margin of SS1
In (upper) margin of imperforate SS1
2004
Congo (Democratic Republic)BL231A fdc
BL231B fdc
SS1 and (multi-color printed) cachet on FDC
Imperforate SS1 and (multi-color printed) cachet on FDC
Congo RepublicUnknown ss (BL none)In (upper-left) margin of SS1 [known illegal issue]2015
Curacao236 (BL20)In (upper-left) margin of MS4 (a-d)2015
Denmark522 (Mi545)CDT1973Nordic postal cooperation issue
Denmark523 (Mi546)
DenmarkMiAuto70ATM stamp2013
DenmarkMiAuto103ATM stamp2017
Djibouti1409 (BL1142)SS12018
Estonia463 (Mi469)2003"Bellingshausen" and aurora australis
Faroe IslandsNone msChristmas seal MS301985
Faroe IslandsNone msChristmas seal MS301991
Faroe Islands801 (Mi?)2022"Aurora Borealis"
Faroe Islands802 (Mi?)
Faroe Islands801-802 fdcTwo stamps and (pictorial) cancel and (multi-color printed) cachet on FDC
Finland374 (Mi523)1960Also International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG)
Finland373-374 fdcOne of two stamps and (grey printed) cachet on FDC
Finland450 (Mi633)1967(possible) symbolic aurora
Finland527 (Mi724)CDT1973Nordic postal cooperation issue
Finland528 (Mi725)
Finland595 (Mi805)1977
Finland1024 (Mi1366)1996
Finland1117 (Mi1499)Same design as Italy 23141999
Finland1151 fdc (Mi1567 fdc)(Finnish Post Stamp Center) cachet on FDC, also back2001
FinlandMiAuto36ATM stamp2000
FinlandMiAuto36 coverATM stamps and (Finnish Post?) cachet on cover
FinlandMiAuto36 coverATM stamps and (Finnish Post?) cachet on cover2001
FinlandMiAuto37ATM stamp2002
FinlandMiAuto37 coverATM stamps and (Finnish Post?) cachet on cover
Finland1280 (BL42)MS2 (1280 (a-b)) (Mi1835-1836)2007Also Fourth International Polar Year (IPY)
Finland1280 fdcMS2 on FDC
Finland1341a (Mi1995)From vertical strip of 3 (1341 (a-c))2009
Finland1341b (Mi1994)
Finland1341c (Mi1993)
Finland1341a-c fdcThree stamps and (blue printed) cachet on FDC, also back
Finland1363 (Mi2057-2058)Pair (1363 (a-b))2010
Finland1363a-b fdcTwo stamps on FDC (Finnish Post cachet), also back
Finland1363a-b maxiMaxicard, also back
Finland1364 (Mi2059)
Finland1365c (Mi2062)From MS4 (1365 (a-e)) (BL62)2010See also Japan 3269
Finland1365e (Mi2064)
Finland1561 (Mi2555)One of strip of 2 (1561-1562)2018
Finland1561-1562 bkBooklet of 10 (5x (1561-1562))
FinlandUnknown (Mi?)From MS10 (10x single)2018
Finland1602 (Mi2670)From booklet of 10 (1602a (10x 1602))2019
Finland1611 (Mi2696)From booklet of 10 (1611a (10x 1611))2020
Finland1652 (Mi2776)From booklet pane of 10 (10x 1652) with booklet front2021
France611 (Mi839)1949
FranceNoneIn (upper-center) margin of (CNEP) SS1 cinderella2007
FranceNoneStamp-on-stamp in (lower-right) margin of SS1 cinderella (with reproduction of Russia 5060)2010Aurora and research rocket for auroral studies
French Southern and Antarctic Territories8 (Mi10)1957Also International Geophysical Year (IGY)
French Southern and Antarctic Territories9 (Mi11)
French Southern and Antarctic Territories10 (Mi12)
French Southern and Antarctic Territories29 (Mi38)
i29

Imperforate
1967Aurora and research rocket for auroral studies
French Southern and Antarctic Territories29 fdc1Stamp on FDC (Éditions J.F. cachet)
French Southern and Antarctic Territories29 fdc2Stamp on FDC (Éditions P.J. cachet)
French Southern and Antarctic Territories29 fdc3Stamp on (airmail) FDC (black rubber-stamp cachet), also back
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40 (Mi97)One stamp in strip of 2 (C40a (C39-C40 + label)) (Mi96-97) from MS10 (C40b (5x (C39-C40 + label)))1975Aurora (on stamp); "magnetospheric research - Franco-Soviet program ARAKS" (in French text on label). The ARAKS (Artificial Radiation and Aurora between Kerguelen and Sogra) experiment was dedicated to auroral studies; (see also Russia 4012 cover 1975 and Mali Unknown c 2018)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40 dsDeluxe sheet (C40)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40 proofSigned proof (C40)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40a fdc1One stamp in strip of 2 on FDC (FSAT PO official embossed cachet)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40a fdc2One stamp in strip of 2 and (Lollini) cachet on FDC
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40a fdc3One stamp in strip of 2 and (Éditions P.J.) cachet on FDC
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40a fdc4One stamp in strip of 2 on FDC (Éditions J.F. cachet)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40a fdc5One stamp in strip of 2 and (Lollini) cachet on FDC
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC40a dsDeluxe sheet (C40a)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC75 (Mi179)One of strip of 3 (C75a (C73-C75)) (Mi177-179), or five of MS15 (C75b (5x (C73-C75)))1983Also 50th anniv. Second International Polar Year (IPY)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC75 dsDeluxe sheet (C75)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC75a fdcOne of strip of 3 on FDC
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC80 (Mi190)
iC80
From MS25 (C80a (25x C80))
Imperforate
1984"Aurore polaire" (in stamp); "Aurore boréale" (in fdc cachet)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC80 dsDeluxe sheet (C80)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC80 fdc1Stamp and (purple printed) cachet on FDC
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC80 fdc2Stamp on FDC
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC80 scSouvenir card (C80)"The auroras result from a large-scale interaction between Earth's magnetic field and the electrically-charged particles of the solar wind"; "The most intense auroras are associated with strong magnetic storms caused by major solar activity" (in French text)
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC149 (Mi386)1998
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC149 fdcStamp and (purple printed) cachet (reproduction of stamp) on FDC
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesC149 cover (Mi386 cover)Stamp on cover1998
French Southern and Antarctic Territories386b (Mi622)One of strip of 2 (386 (a-b + label)), or five of MS10 (386c (5x 386 (a-b) + 5 labels)); IGY stamp-on-stamp: 92007Also, possible artistically-drawn aurora in the background of 386
French Southern and Antarctic Territories482g (Mi819)One of MS4 (482e-h ms (e-h)) (Mi817-820), or one of booklet (482 (a-p)) (Mi813-828)2013
French Southern and Antarctic TerritoriesNone(Multi-color printed) cachet on cover2016
French Southern and Antarctic Territories629 (BL75)SS12020"Aurore australe - Dumont d'Urville"
French Southern and Antarctic Territories677 (BL99)SS12022
Germany (East)None(Black printed) cachet (including reproduction of Russia 1767) on cover1962
Germany (East)None(Pictorial) cancel and (black printed) cachet on cover1979
Germany (West)1404 (Mi1187)1983Auroras (in 4th inset from left on stamp)
Germany (West)1404 fdc1Stamp on FDC (FIDACOS cachet)
Germany (West)1404 fdc2Stamp on FDC (ETABO cachet)
Germany (West)1404 fdc3Stamp and (?) cachet on FDC
Germany (West)1404 maxi1Maxicard
Germany (West)1404 maxi2Maxicard (Bonn cancel)
Germany (West)1404 maxi3Maxicard (Hamburg cancel)
Germany (West)1404 scSouvenir card, also back
Germany (West)None(Pictorial) cancel on cover1986
GermanyNone(Pictorial) cancel on cover (DLR cachet)1994Research rocket and aurora
GermanyNone(Multi-color printed) cachet on cover2011Aurora, also Fridtjof Nansen and his ship Fram
GermanyB1012 (Mi2709)From MS10 (B1012a (10x B1012))2009
GermanyB1010-1013 fdcOne of four stamps on FDC
Germany3290 (Mi3680)From MS10 (3290a (10x 3290))2022"Polarlicht": "Aurora: Luminous molecules in Earth's atmosphere that react to electrically charged particles in the solar wind" (in German text)
GreenlandNoneUn-adopted essay1938See also Greenland 387
GreenlandNone(Green rubber-stamp) cachet on cover (Christians Sund cancel)1952
GreenlandNone(Green rubber-stamp) cachet on cover (Upernavik cancel)1952
Greenland48 (Mi47)1963
Greenland49 (Mi48)
Greenland50 (Mi49)
Greenland51 (Mi50)
Greenland52 (Mi51)
Greenland48-52 fdcFive stamps on FDC
GreenlandNone(Blue rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1970
GreenlandNone(Purple rubber-stamp) cachet on cover
GreenlandNone(Green rubber-stamp) cachet on cover
GreenlandNone(Red rubber-stamp) cachet on cover
Greenland101 fdc (Mi95 fdc)(Grey printed) cachet on FDC1975
Greenland111 (Mi118)1979
Greenland275 (Mi254)1994
Greenland275 fdc(Blue printed) cachet on postal card FDC, also back
Greenland276 (Mi255)
Greenland276 fdc(Blue printed) cachet on postal card FDC, also back
Greenland275-276 fdcTwo stamps on FDC
Greenland302 fdc (Mi280 fdc)(Populaer Filateli) cachet on FDC1995
Greenland327 (Mi313)From booklet 328a front, and interior with booklet pane1 and booklet pane21997
Greenland328 (Mi314)
GreenlandB22 (Mi299y)1997
GreenlandB22a (BL12, Mi299x)MS4 (4x B22)
Greenland378 (Mi359)From booklet 379a front (Mi359-360), and interior with 378a booklet pane of 6 (6x 378) and 379a booklet pane of 6 (6x 379)2000
Greenland387 (Mi371)Stamp-on-stamp: un-adopted essay from 19382001
Greenland387 maxiMaxicard
Greenland389a (BL22)On one of MS3 (387-389)
Greenland387-389 fdcOne of three stamps and (tan/yellow and black printed) cachet (reproductions of stamps) on FDC
Greenland387-389 folderFolder, also inside containing 389a
GreenlandB28a (BL26)In (upper) margin of MS4 (4x B28)2003
Greenland428 (Mi415)One of MS2 (428a (427-428))2004In Inuit mythology, the aurora are a manifestation of the spirits of the Dead in the Heavens playing a game that uses a walrus head or skull as a ball
Greenland529 (Mi521)2008
Greenland530 (Mi522)
Greenland531 (Mi523)Self-adhesive, from booklet pane of 12 (532b (12x (531-532))), with booklet front
Greenland532 (Mi524)
Greenland537 (Mi525)From MS8 (537a (8x 537 + label))2009
Greenland538 (Mi526)From MS8 (538a (8x 538 + label))
Greenland539 (Mi527)Self-adhesive, from booklet pane of 12 (540a (12x (539-540))), with booklet front
Greenland540 (Mi528)
Greenland603 maxi (Mi597 maxi)Image (only) on maxicard2011
Greenland620 (Mi613)Stamp from MS8 (620a (8x 620 + label))2012
Greenland621a label (Mi614 label)Label from MS8 (621a (8x 621 + label))
Greenland620-621 fdcOne of two stamps and (pictorial) cancel and (multi-color printed) cachet on FDC
Greenland622 (Mi615)Self-adhesive, from booklet pane of 12 (623a (6x (622-623))) with booklet front
GreenlandB38 (Mi629)2013"Child passes gifts from a boat, Northern Lights"
GreenlandB38a (BL61)MS4 (4x B38)
Greenland671 (Mi668)One of MS2 (671a (670-671)) (BL67, Mi667-668)2014
GreenlandMiAuto12ATM stamp2014
GreenlandMiAuto15ATM stamp2016
GreenlandMiAuto19ATM stamp2017
GreenlandMiAuto19 maxiATM-stamp maxicard
Greenland760 (Mi753)From MS9 (760a (9x 760))2017
Greenland762 (Mi755)Self-adhesive, from booklet of 12 (762a (6x (761-762))) (Mi754-755), with front and back
Greenland783 (Mi799)From MS10 (783a (10x 783))2018
Greenland783 fdcStamp and (multi-color printed) cachet on FDC
GreenlandMiAuto21IATM stamp2018
GreenlandMiAuto21IIATM stamp, overprinted new value and "Copenhagen 2018"
Greenland772-801a+B43-B44+8xATM-stampsYear pack2018
GreenlandMiAuto unknownATM stamp, overprinted new value and "Greenland Post"2019
Greenland828 (Mi838)From MS10 (828a (10x 828))2019
Greenland830 (Mi809)From booklet pane of 12 (830a (10x (829-830)) (Mi808-809)
Greenland857 (Mi870)From MS10 (857a (10x 857))2020
Greenland859 (Mi872)Self-adhesive, from booklet of 12 (859a (12x 859))
Grenada Carriacou2920 (Mi5023-5027)MS5 (2920 (a-f))2015
Grenada Carriacou2921 (BL709)SS1
Hungary1214 (Mi1573A)1959Also International Geophysical Year (IGY)
Hungary1665 (Mi2107A)
i1665 (Mi2107B)

Imperforate
1965Also International Quiet Sun Year (IQSY)
Hungary1660+1662-1665 fdc
i1660+i1662-i1665 fdc
One of five stamps and (blue printed) cachet on FDC
One of five imperforate stamps and (blue printed) cachet on FDC
IcelandC17 (Mi177A)Perforated 14 x 141934Earliest known issued stamps that unambiguously feature auroras; (see also Iceland aerogamme 1950)
IcelandC17a (Mi177B)Perforated 12-1/2 x 14
IcelandC18 (Mi178A)
IcelandNonePrinted stamp on aerogramme, also back1950(See also Iceland C17, C17a, and C18)
IcelandNone fdcAerogramme FDC, also back
Iceland454 (Mi478)CDT1973Nordic postal cooperation issue
Iceland455 (Mi479)
Iceland1229 (Mi1309)2011
Iceland1275 (Mi1362A)From sheet2012
Iceland1277 (Mi1362D)From booklet pane of 10 (1277a (10x 1277)), also booklet front
Iceland1313 (BL58)MS4 (1313 (a-d)) (Mi1396-1399)2013
Iceland1313 fdcMS4 and (pictorial) cancel on FDC
Iceland1436 (Mi1527)From MS10 (1436a (10x 1436))2017
Iceland1436-1437 fdcOne of two stamps on FDC
Iceland1497 (Mi1584)From MS10 (1497a (10x 1497))2019
Iceland1529 (Mi1621)From MS10 (1529a (10x 1529))2020
Iceland1530 (Mi1622)From MS10 (1530a (10x 1530))
Iceland1531c (Mi1625)From MS4 (1531 (a-d)) (BL70, Mi1623-1626)2023
Isle of Man (Great Britain)Unknown1-6From MS6 (a-f)2024
Italy1194 (Mi1496)1975Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn2 (detail from the ceiling fresco Aurora by Guido Reni (1575 - 1642) which is found in the Casino dell'Aurora, Palazzo Pallavicini, Rome)
Italy2314 (Mi2658)Same design as Finland 11171999
Ivory CoastUnknown ss (BL?)In (upper-right) margin of SS12013
Ivory CoastUnknown ss (BL?)In (upper) margin of SS12016
Ivory CoastUnknown ss (BL none)In (upper) margin of SS1 [known illegal issue]2017
Ivory CoastUnknown ms (Mi none)MS2 (a-b) [known illegal issue]2018
Ivory CoastUnknown fdcMS2 on FDC
Japan857 (Mi905)1965
Japan857 fdcStamp and (Saburo Watanabe) cachet on FDC
Japan857 maxi(JSPA) maxicard
Japan1061 fdc (Mi1111 fdc)(Ministry of Postal Services) cachet on FDC1971
JapanNone(Pictorial) cancel and (Hitoshi?) cachet on cover1971Aurora and research rocket for auroral studies
JapanNone(Pictorial) cancel on cover1972Aurora and research rocket for auroral studies
JapanNone(Red rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1977
Japan1554 (Mi1568)1983
Japan1554 fdcStamp and (pictorial) cancel on FDC
Japan2978a-d (Mi4145-4148)Block of 4 from MS10 (2978 (a-j)) (Mi4145-4154)2007
Japan3011d (Mi4428)One of MS5 (3011 (a-e))1999Christmas roses forming Aurora Borealis
Japan3125 (Mi4942-4945)MS4 (3125 (a-d))2009
Japan3269c (Mi5461)From MS5 (3269 (a-e)) (Mi5459-5463)2010See also Finland 1365
Japan3269e (Mi5463)
Japan3270 (Mi5465-5468)On all five stamps of MS5 (3270 (a-e))2010
Kiribati958 (Mi1083)2009Also "Ernest Shackleton"
Korea (South)2485a (Mi3187)From MS10 (round 2485 (a-j)) or from ms10 (rectangular 2485 (a-j))2017
Korea (South)2485a maxiMaxicard
Latvia731 (BL26, Mi755-756)MS2 (731 (a-b))2009
Latvia731 fdcMS2 and (multi-color printed) cachet on FDC
Liberia3418 (Mi?)In (upper) margin of MS4 (3418 (a-d + label))2020
Maldive Islands3845a (Mi6813-6816)One of MS4 (3845 (a-d))2017
Maldive Islands3848 (BL1029)SS1
Maldive Islands3943 (Mi7078-7081)MS4 (a-d)2017(questionable) auroras
Maldive Islands3944 (Mi7068-7071)MS4 (a-d)
Maldive Islands3953 (BL1081)SS12017(questionable) auroras
Maldive Islands3954 (BL1079)SS1
Maldive Islands4076 (Mi7423-7426)In (upper) margin of MS4 (a-d)2018
Maldive Islands4091 (BL1150, Mi7427)In (upper) margin of SS12018
Mali901 (BL114)SS11997
MaliUnknown ms (Mi none)In (left and right) margins of MS3 (a-c) [known illegal issue]2013
MaliUnknown ms (Mi none)In (left and right) margins of MS3 (a-c) (different) [known illegal issue]
MaliUnknown ms (Mi none)In (lower-right) margin of MS3 (a-c) (different) [known illegal issue]
MaliUnknown ms (Mi none)In (left and upper-right) margins of MS3 (a-c) (different) [known illegal issue]
MaliUnknown ms (Mi none)In (lower-left) margin of MS3 (a-c) (different) [known illegal issue]
MaliUnknown ms (Mi none)In (right) margin of MS3 (a-c) (different) [known illegal issue]
MaliUnknown ms (Mi none)In (left) margin of MS3 (a-c) (different) [known illegal issue]
MaliUnknown c (Mi none)One of MS4 (a-d) [known illegal issue]2018"Artificial Aurora" (in text) in the Franco-Soviet magnetospheric research program "ARAKS". The ARAKS (Artificial Radiation and Aurora between Kerguelen and Sogra) experiment was dedicated to auroral studies; (see also Russia 4012 cover 1975 and FSAT C40a)
MaliUnknown ims fdcImperforate MS4 on FDC
Micronesia920d (Mi2210)One of MS4 (920 (a-d)) (Mi2207-2210)2011"Aurora Australis at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station"
Monaco3069 (Mi3558)2021
Mongolia373 (Mi379)1965Also International Quiet Sun Year (IQSY)
Mongolia371+373-374+C6 fdc1One of four stamps on FDC
Mongolia371+373-374+C6 fdc2One of four stamps on FDC (no cancel)
Montserrat1201 (BL123)SS12008Aurora (and Explorer-1)
Montserrat1201 fdcSS1 on FDC
Mozambique2836 (Mi6483-6488)On all stamps of MS6 (2836 (a-f))2013
Mozambique2865 (BL745)SS1
MozambiqueBL897In (upper) margin of SS12014
MozambiqueMi8619-8622_ms4On stamps 'a' and 'd' and in (upper) margin of MS4 (a-d)2016
MozambiqueBL1260On stamp (Mi9103) of SS12017
Netherlands1671c (Mi4249)Two of MS20 (2x (1671 (a-j))) (Mi4247-4256)2023
Nevis1821 (Mi2938-2946)MS9 (1821 (a-i))2014
Nevis1822 (BL352)SS1
New Zealand406 (Mi478)1962
New Zealand2703 (Mi3428I)2017"Southern Lights"
New Zealand2704 (Mi3429I)
New Zealand2705 (Mi3430I)
New Zealand2706 (Mi3431I)
New Zealand2707 (Mi3432I)
New Zealand2708 (Mi3433I)
New Zealand2709 (BL385)MS6 (2709 (a-f))
Niger843B (Mi1143A)
i843B (Mi1143B)

Imperforate
1991Aurora and Japanese satellite EXOS-D (whose mission was the "observation of the Aurora Borealis")
Niger843Bc (BL78A)
i843Bc (BL78B)
On stamp of SS1 (843B)
On stamp of imperforate SS1 (i843B)
Niger843A-843B+843F_ms3
i843A-i843B+i843F_ms3
On one of MS3 (843A-843B+843F)
On one of imperforate MS3 (i843A-i843B+i843F)
NigerMi6055One of MS4 (Mi6055-6058)2018
NigerBL913SS1
NigerMi6153One of MS4 (Mi6150-6153)2018"Aurora australis"
NigerBL932In (lower) margin of SS1
NorwayB19 (Mi231)1941
NorwayNoneBlock of 4 with two each of two different Christmas seals1955
Norway355-357 fdc1 (Mi411-413 fdc1)(Blue and red printed) cachet on FDC (1-star Oslo cancel)1957aurora (at top)
Norway355-357 fdc2 (Mi411-412 fdc2)(Blue and red printed) cachet on FDC (4-star Oslo cancel)
Norway356 cover (Mi411 cover)(Green and black printed) cachet on cover1957
Norway397-398 fdc (Mi460-461 fdc)(Blue and yellow and black printed) cachet on FDC1961Also Fridtjof Nansen
Norway427 (Mi505x)From booklet of 10 (10x 427)1963Aurora above a stave church
Norway428 (Mi506x)
Norway428 fluorescent (Mi506y)Fluorescent paper1970Aurora above a stave church
NorwayNone(Purple rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1971Tromso Auroral Observatory
Norway596 (Mi649)1972Also Amundsen's ship "Maud"
Norway598 (Mi651)Also Amundsen's ship "Gjoa"
Norway596-598 fdcTwo of three stamps on FDC (Norsk Filatelistisk Tidsskrift cachet)(As above for stamps)
Norway609 (Mi633)From booklet of 10 (10x 609)1972Aurora above a stave church
Norway615 (Mi657)1973Aurora above a stave church
Norway617 (Mi662)CDT1973Nordic postal cooperation issue
Norway618 (Mi663)
Norway981 (Mi1047)1990
Norway990 (Mi1063)1991Aurora and research rocket for auroral studies
Norway989-990 fdcOne of two stamps on FDC
Norway1318 (Mi1413)2001
Norway1319 (Mi1414)
Norway1318-1319 fdcTwo stamps on FDC
Norway1500b (Mi1605)From MS2 (1500 (a-b)) (BL34)2007
Norway1500 fdcMS2 on FDC
Norway1500 folderMS2 in FDC folder
Norway1577 (Mi1684)From MS10 (1578a (5x (1577-1578)))2009
Norway1746 (Mi1859)2014
NorwayNone(Pictorial) cancel on cover2014symbolic "Northern light[s]"
Norway1948 (BL58)In (upper-left) margin of MS2 (a-b)2022
Norway1948 fdcMS2 and (surrounding) cachet on FDC
Norway1960 (Mi2096)2023
Norway1961aBooklet of 10 (5x (1960-1961)) (Mi2096-2097), also front
Poland2541 (Mi2832)From MS20 (2541a (20x 2541))1982Also 50th anniv. Second International Polar Year (IPY)
Poland4137a (Mi4711)From strip of 4 (4137 (a-d)) (Mi4711-4714), or from MS12 (4137e (3x (a-d)))2014
Poland4137 fdcOne of strip of 4 and (pictorial) cancel on FDC
Portugal3655 (Mi3989)2014Geomagnetic studies at the Geophysical Institute of the University of Coimbra
RomaniaNoneStamped envelope1996
RomaniaNonePostal card1998
Ross Dependency (NZ)L167 (Mi172)Also heat-activated and original-image2020
Ross Dependency (NZ)L170a (BL23)On one of MS4 (L167-L170) (Mi172-175), also heat-activated and original-images
Ross Dependency (NZ)L180 (Mi185)From MS4 (L182a (L179-L182)) (BL29, Mi184-187)2023
Russia (USSR)1767 (Mi1793)1955
Russia (USSR)1767a (BL27)MS4 (4x 1767)1958
Russia (USSR)2089 (Mi2105)1958Aurora and S-180 auroral observation camera used during the International Geophysical Year (IGY)
Russia (USSR)2089-2091 fdcOne of three stamps on FDC
Russia (USSR)2089 cover (Mi2105 cover)Stamp on cover1958Aurora and S-180 auroral observation camera used during the International Geophysical Year (IGY)
Russia (USSR)2495 (Mi2500)1961Research rocket for auroral and ionospheric studies
Russia (USSR)None(Upper-middle purple rubber-stamp) cachet and (lower-right purple rubber-stamp) cachet and (multi-color printed) cachet on stamped envelope~1961
Russia (USSR)1767b (BL30)MS4 (1767a (4x 1767)) overprinted in red1962
Russia (USSR)1767b fdcMS4 on FDC
Russia (USSR)None(Blue printed) cachet on cover, also (un-stamped and un-canceled) cover1962
Russia (USSR)2779 (Mi2801)1963
Russia (USSR)2780 (Mi2802)
Russia (USSR)3164 (Mi3183)One of strip of 3 (3164a (3162-3164 + label) (Mi3181-3183 + label), or 8 of MS24 (3164b (8x (3162-3164 + label)))1966
Russia (USSR)3854 (Mi3885)1971
Russia (USSR)3854 cover (Mi3885 cover)Extra stamp and (pictorial) cancel on stamped envelope1971
Russia (USSR)3991 (Mi4026)1972Also Roald Amundsen
Russia (USSR)4084 (Mi4123)1973
Russia (USSR)4084 maxiMaxicard
Russia (USSR)4084 sheetExhibition sheet (containing 4084)
Russia (USSR)NoneQSL card (same design as Russia 4084)1973
Russia (USSR)None(Blue and red printed) cachet on (un-stamped) cover1973
Russia (USSR)4084 card (Mi4123 card)Stamp and (purple rubber-stamp) cachet on card1974
Russia (USSR)NoneQSL card (same design as Russia 4084)1975
Russia (USSR)4012 cover (Mi4045 cover)(Multi-color printed and black rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1975Aurora and "ARAKS 1975" (in Cyrillic text in the cancel); The ARAKS (Artificial Radiation and Aurora between Kerguelen and Sogra) experiment was dedicated to auroral studies; (see also FSAT C40a and Mali Unknown c 2018)
Russia (USSR)4492 (Mi4533)1976
Russia (USSR)4492 fdcStamp on FDC
Russia (USSR)None(Green and orange and black printed) cachet on stamped envelope1977
Russia (USSR)4899 (Mi5030)From MS36 (4899a (36x 4899))1981Symbolic red and blue auroras (in stamp); the auroras are drawn in black and white (in the FDC cachet)
Russia (USSR)4899 fdcStamp and (Soviet Ministry of Postal Services and Telecommunications) cachet on FDC, also back
Russia (USSR)None(Multi-color printed) cachet on stamped envelope1981Also 50th anniv. Second International Polar Year (IPY), and other meteorological topics
Russia (USSR)None(Blue and green and black printed and purple rubber-stamp) cachets on stamped envelope1981 Also 100th anniv. First International Polar Year (IPY)
Russia (USSR)5060 (Mi5191)From MS8 (5060a (8x 5060))1982Aurora and research rocket for auroral studies
Russia (USSR)None (Mi_PSo108)(Multi-color printed) cachet on postal card1982
Russia (USSR)None(Multi-color printed) cachet on stamped envelope1983
Russia (USSR)5263 (Mi5394)1984
Russia (USSR)NonePrinted stamp on postal card1986
Russia (USSR)5618 (Mi5775)1987
Russia (USSR)None(Red rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1987
Russia (USSR)None(Multi-color printed) cachet on cover1987
Russia (USSR)5675 (Mi5835)1988
Russia (USSR)NonePrinted stamp and (pictorial) cancel on postal card1988
Russia (USSR)None(Pictorial) cancel and (black rubber-stamp) cachet on stamped envelope1989
Russia (USSR)None(Multi-color printed) cachet on cover1989
Russia (USSR)None(Purple pictorial) cancel and (round black rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1992
Russia (USSR)None(Black pictorial) cancel and (partly-circular purple rubber-stamp) cachet on stamped envelope1992
Russia (USSR)None(Large dark-blue printed) cachet on cover1992
RussiaNone(Purple rubber-stamp1) and (purple rubber-stamp2) and (blue rubber-stamp) cachets on cover1993
RussiaNone(Blue and black printed) cachet on cover1993
Russia6577 (BL31)SS12000Also Meteor weather satellite, and 50th anniv. World Meteor. Organization (WMO)
Russia6577 fdcSS1 on FDC (Russia Post cachet), also back
Russia6591 (Mi824)2000
Russia6939 (Mi1306)2006Symbolic auroras
Russia6940 (Mi1305)
Russia6941 (Mi1304)
Russia6939-6941 fdcThree stamps on FDC
Russia6941a (Mi1304_ms6)MS6 (6x 6941)
Russia7021a (Mi1400)One of MS3 (7021 (a-c)) (BL98, Mi1400-1402)2007
Russia7021a maxiMaxicard
Russia7021 fdcMS3 on FDC
Russia6939 cover (Mi1306 cover)Stamp and (multi-color printed) cachet (with reproduction of Russia 2779 and 2780) on cover2008Symbolic auroras (on stamps)
Russia6940 cover (Mi1305 cover)Stamp and (multi-color printed) cachet (with reproduction of Russia 2779 and 2780) on cover
Russia6941 cover (Mi1304 cover)Stamp and (multi-color printed) cachet (with reproduction of Russia 2779 and 2780) on cover
RussiaNone(Two blue rubber-stamp) cachets on cover2011
Russia7815 (Mi2428)From MS14 (7815a (14x 7815 + label))2017
Russia7815 fdcStamp on FDC
Russia8039 (BL278I)In (upper) margin of MS2 (a-b)2019
Russia8039 fdcMS2 on FDC
Russia8039 folderFolder outside and inside, also inside stamp section, inside text section, cinderella MS2, outside (complete), and outside detail (ship and aurora)
Russia8039_var (BL278II)In (upper) margin of MS2 (a-b)2019This variation of 8039 has apparently been printed with a darker bronze tint (possibly in the banner in the upper margin) than is seen in the original version.
Russia8039_var folder p2Folder, page2 (with MS2 variation), also page0/front, page1, and page3/back
RussiaNone(Multi-color printed) postal card back with extra (6941) stamp, also front2020
Russia8456 (BL356, Mi3222-3223)MS2 (a-b)2022
St. Thomas and Prince IslandsUnknown f (Mi?)One of MS9 (a-i)2006
Sierra Leone854 (Mi977)From MS10 (854a (10x 854))1987"Aurora Borealis"
Sierra Leone3672 (Mi7068-7071)MS4 (a-d)2016
Sierra Leone3692 (BL946)SS1
Sierra Leone3687 (BL950)SS12016
Sierra LeoneMi17003Stamp from SS1 (BL2887)2023
South Africa1555j (Mi2442)
1555j back
From MS10 (1555 (a-j)) (Mi2433-2442), also 1555 back"water, sound vibrations and bouncing laser lights allow participants to 'see' the Northern Lights in southern Africa"
SwedenNoneChristmas seal (cinderella)1935/36
Sweden857 (Mi680)One of strip of 5 (857b (853-857)) (Mi676-680), and from booklet pane of 10 (857c (2x (853-857)), or complete booklet (857a) (MH25)1970Launch of research rocket for auroral studies; also in booklet and fdc1 insert text: "North Magnetic Pole attracts showers of charged particles emanating from solar flares, which collide spectacularly with the Earth's atmosphere" (and in doing so, form the aurora). "Hither come both Swedish and European aerospace research teams to shoot their rocket probes into the flaming auroral skies".
Sweden853-857 fdc1One of five stamps on FDC, also insert
Sweden853-857 fdc2One of five stamps on FDC
Sweden1003 (Mi808)CDT1973Nordic postal cooperation issue
Sweden1004 (Mi809)
Sweden1514 (Mi1305)1984Aurora and Viking satellite (its mission was to study the charged particles that cause the Aurora Borealis)
Sweden1514 maxiMaxicard
Sweden1515 (Mi1306)Aurora and launch of research rocket for auroral studies
Sweden1515 maxiMaxicard
Sweden1514-1515 fdc1Two stamps on FDC, also insert(As above for stamps)
Sweden1514-1515 fdc2Two stamps on FDC (different)
Sweden1892 (Mi1664)One of booklet pane of 3 (1893a (1891-1893)), with booklet front, and booklet interior (1893b (2x 1893a)) (MH159, Mi1663-1665); also full booklet (1893c)1991
Sweden1893a fdcOne of booklet pane of 3 on FDC
Sweden1893a folder insideInside of folder (2x (1893a (1891-1893)))
Sweden1893a blackBlackprint
Swedeni1893a trialImperforate trial color printing on white paper
Sweden2396d (Mi2189)One of booklet pane of 6 (2396 (a-f)) (Mi2186-2191), also booklet front2000
Sweden2396a-f fdcOne of six stamps and (pictorial) cancel on FDC (2396 (a-f))
Sweden2787 (Mi3140-3144)Strip of 5 (a-e), also yearly Collection Book front2016
Tonga1465 (Mi2461-2466)MS6 (1465 (a-f))2022
Tonga1466 (BL147)SS1 (Mi2467)
Tuvalu1369b (Mi2247)One of MS6 (1369 (a-f)) (Mi2246-2251)2017"Aurora Borealis"
Umm Al QiwainBL60In (upper-right) margin of SS11972
United StatesNone(Text) cancel on cover1892Aurora IL (post office)
United StatesNone(Text) cancel on cover~1920sAurora MN (post office)
United StatesNone(Text) cancel on cover1928Aurora IL (post office)
United StatesNone(Text) cancel on cover1931Aurora NE (post office)
United StatesNone(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1957
United StatesNone(Text) cancel on cover1958Aurora MO (post office)
United States1128 fdc1 (Mi751 fdc1)(Fluegel Covers) cachet on FDC1959
United States1128 fdc2 (Mi751 fdc2)(The Aristocrats/Day Lowry) cachet on FDC
United States1196 cover (Mi? cover)(Alaskan Collectors' Club) cachet on cover1962
United StatesNone(ESSA-SDL blue rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1969"aurora"
United StatesUC65(Multi-color printed) cachet on (USPS) stamped envelope (aerogramme)1999
United StatesNone(Text) cancel1999Aurora CO (post office)
United States2223a fdc (Mi1835-1838 fdc)(Colorano silk) cachet on FDC1986
United States3802b fdc (Mi3762 fdc)(Collins) cachet on FDC2003
United States4123a1 (Mi4196)From MS2 (4123 (a-b)) (BL62)2007For all derivative items, see this set on the International Polar Year (IPY) page
United States4123b1 (Mi4197)
United States42031 (Mi4315)
4203+back
From pair (4204a (4203-4204)), or from MS20 (4204b (10x (4203-4204))), also back2007In addition to the depictions on the stamps and in the (upper) margin, the text on the back of the stamps and on the back provides some information on auroras; for all derivative items, see this set on the International Polar Year (IPY) page
United States42041 (Mi4316)
4204+back
United States4947 fdc (Mi? fdc)(JVC) cachet on FDC2014
United StatesNone 1(Zazzle.com) personalized postage2014
United StatesNone 2(Zazzle.com) personalized postage (different)
United StatesNone 3(Zazzle.com) personalized postage (different)
United StatesNone 4(Zazzle.com) personalized postage (different)"Northern Lights"
United States5298b (Mi5499)One of MS20 (5298 (a-t))2018
United States5298b maxiMaxicard
United StatesNone(Coverscape) cachet on cover2018"Aurora Borealis"
United States5602 fdc (Mi5835BA fdc)(Janet Hobbs hand-drawn and hand-painted) cachet on FDC, also back2021
United StatesNone(Coverscape) cachet on cover, also back2024"The solar storms of May 10-13, 2024 ... were the most intense to affect Earth since Oct of 2003, producing aurorae as far south as Arizona and Georgia"

1Images for a large number of FDCs and other derivative items for these stamps can be found in the International Polar Year (IPY) page; only the stamps are included in this page.
2Galileo (1564 - 1642) observed the northern lights in the early 1600s. Sometimes they were tinged with pink, reminiscent of dawn, and in an essay published in 1616 he described them as questa boreale aurora ("this northern dawn") after Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn. The modern term aurora borealis comes from the French astronomer Pierre Gassendi (1592-1655), who introduced it in a publication in 1649. The terms aurora australis and aurora polaris came later.


Below is a list of Auroras on launch covers (including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers).

CountryCancel DateCancel LocationType of ItemNotes on Content
Auroras (on Launch Covers)
Norway1963-09-12Andenes(Black printed and black typed) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch cover
United States1965-10-14Vandenberg AFB, CA(Astro Covers, no logo) cachet on OGO-2 launch coverto study "the mysterious causes of the northern lights"
Sweden1967-07-31Kiruna(Black printed) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch cover
United States1968-03-04Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on OGO-5 launch cover"Data on aurora"
United States1968-03-04Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on OGO-5 launch cover
Sweden1968-03-27Kiruna(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on Skylark-1 (sub-orbital) rocket launch coverESRO S16-1 Aurora mission
Sweden1968-06-07Kiruna(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch cover
United States1969-06-05Vandenberg AFB, CA(Orbit Covers) cachet on OGO-6 launch cover"Data on aurora and polar [ice] cap events"
United States1970-04-11Boulder CO(ESSA-SDL blue rubber-stamp) cachet on Apollo-13 launch cover"aurora"
United States1971-07-26Boulder CO(NOAA-SEL blue rubber-stamp) cachet (and signature) on Apollo-15 launch cover"aurora"
Sweden1972-10-09Kiruna(Pictorial) cancel and (JG) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch coverNike-Apache NNA-4 Giacobini-Zinner comet dust collection mission
United States1973-03-30Chatanika AK(Red-brown and black rubber-stamp) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch cover"inst(rument) payload [for] auroral research"
United States1974-02-18Chatanika AK(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch coverAurora and the "Icecap Aurora Program"
United States1974-08-19Chatanika AK(Red-brown and black rubber-stamp) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch cover
United States1976-03-15Kennedy Space Center FL(NRL) folder inside5, also inside1 and inside2 and inside3 and inside4 and SolRad-11A/11B and LES-8/9 launch front"Earth's solar radiation environment", with schematic solar flares, magnetosphere and "aurorae"
Japan1978-08-20Uchinoura(JapanCover no.97) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch cover"observation of Aurora and Galactic Ray[s]"
Sweden1980-11-16Kiruna(MBB) cachet on (sub-orbital) rocket launch cover
United States1981-04-12Boulder CO(NOAA-SEL black rubber-stamp) cachet on STS-1 launch (airmail) cover"aurora"
United States1982-03-22Boulder CO(NOAA-SEL black rubber-stamp) cachet (and signature) on STS-3 launch cover"aurora"
United States1982-11-11Boulder CO(NOAA-SEL black rubber-stamp) cachet on STS-5 launch and SBS-3 deployment (airmail) cover"aurora"
United States1983-11-28Boulder CO(NOAA-SEL black rubber-stamp) cachet on STS-9 launch cover"aurora"
United States1984-02-03Boulder CO(NOAA-SEL black rubber-stamp) cachet on STS-41B and Westar-6 deployment (airmail) cover"aurora"
Russia (USSR)1984-12-21Magadan(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on Vega-2 launch cover; cachet also available in blue, brown, green, and red
United States1985-05-06Edwards AFB, CA(Zaso silk/IASP no.100) cachet on STS-51B landing cover"Challenger became the first American manned spacecraft to pass through an aurora, doing so 3 times; 18 displays of aurorae, [and] charged particles from the solar wind were photographed".
United States1996-08-21Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(Sarmiento) cachet on Explorer-70 (FAST) launch cover"Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer"
United States2007-02-17Cape Canaveral FL(Mission 57) back of Explorer-85/89 (THEMIS) launch cover, also front"to observe auroral activity and the Earth's magnetosphere"
United States2007-02-17Cape Canaveral FL(B&D) cachet on Explorer-85/89 (THEMIS) launch cover"embarking on a revolutionary journey to study the iridescent Northern Lights"
French Guiana2011-02-16Kourou(Association Philatélique du C.E. SPS) cachet (with reproduction of Russia 5060) on ATV-2 launch coverAurora and research rocket for auroral studies
Gabon2016-12-22Libreville(Lollini) cachet on JCSat-15 and StarOne-D1 launch cover
Finland2021-02-28Kerava(SVP) cachet on Arktika-M1 launch cover
Finland2021-02-28Kerava(SVP) cachet (different) on Arktika-M1 launch cover


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