International Polar and Heliophysical Year Stamp issue date: 31 October 2007 The South African Post Office celebrates the International Polar and Heliophys-ical Year (IHY) by issuing a set of six stamps on 31 October 2007. The IHY coincides with the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958 which. The IHY is an international program of scientific collaboration to understand external drivers of planetary environments and universal processes in solar-terrestrial-planetary-heliopheric physics. Designed by Tobie Beele the stamps features: The SANAE IV Base: The SANAE (South African National Antarctic Expedition) IV Base is a research station situated on a nunatak at Vesleskarvet on the Ahlmann Ridge, 170km from the coast, on a windswept mountain top that pierces the surrounding ice sheet. The construction of this base commenced in 1991. SANAE IV base was built on stilts so that the wind can blow under the base and prevent a build-up of snow. Physical science, earth science, life sciences and oceanographic sciences are researched at this base. King Penguins (Aptenodytes Patagonicus): The King Penguins are found on beaches, valleys and glacial moraines where they are free of snow and ice. They prefer level ground near the sea where they live in flocks. They have a silver-grey back with a blackish-brown head decorated with striking ear patches of golden-orange feathers. They are similar in appearance to the Emperor penguin but can be identified by the orange colouring on their breasts, more slender bodies and longer bills. Both males and females are similar in size and appearance with behavioural clues providing the best means of identification. Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis Adeliae): The Adélie penguin can be found forming colonies on islands, beaches and headlands all around the Antarctic coast. Adélie penguins are used by scientists as an indicator species to monitor the abundance of krill, so important to the web of Antarctic life. With its white front and the white ring around its eyes, the penguin has a handsome, yet comical appearance. Its beak is reddish with a black tip. Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans): Albatrosses are arguably the most impressive of all Antarctic birds. The Wanderer is the most famous and largest of the albatrosses and is found around the southern oceans. Their long narrow wings are strikingly graceful. They have large heads featuring massive hooked bills. Their bodies are mainly white and they have long necks, short legs and short tails. During rough weather, high waves create strong uplifting air currents, enabling them to remain aloft with hardly a wing beat for hours they are the best observed. They spend the better part of their lives on the wing, gliding and circling the wind systems of the Southern Ocean. Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes Weddellii): The Weddel Seal was named after James Weddel, the British Antarctic explorer who commanded British expeditions into the Weddel sea, which is also named after him. Weddel Seals are arguably the most well-known and appealing of all the Antarctic seals. They are found further south in large groups on fast pack ice and can be easily approached by humans. Weddel Seals have a small head and their bodies are blue-black and spotted silver-grey, fading to rust brown. Their short, dense fur protects them from water temperatures. Unlike Crab eater and Leopard seals, weddel seals are fat and not so streamlined. Orca Whales (Orcinus orca): Orca or killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family. Orca Whales are sometimes called the wolves of the sea because of their closely-related pack-like behaviours. They are normally found gracing the southern seas in abundance and tend to travel in small close-knit, family pods. They have a unique colouration pattern, a dazzling contrast of jet black above and bright white markings beneath.
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