Issue date: 03 Jan, 2014
SCIENCE
There is an addition to the Science series with the issue of a self-adhesive stamp to commemorate the creation of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) 60 years ago.
At present, 20 member states make up CERN: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovakia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland. There are also eight institutions and countries that act as observers.
Research at CERN uses the largest and most complex scientific instruments ever built, and which study the basic components of matter, such as the particles forming our universe. Among these instruments are the particle colliders and sensors. The colliders accelerate beams of particles to almost the speed of light and make them crash into each other or into fixed objects. The sensors observe and record the results from these collisions.
Scientists from all over the world work with the 20 European countries forming CERN, and around 10,000 particle physicists regularly go to the centre to carry out their research there.
Spain joined the organisation in 1961 and left in 1968, re-joining in 1983. Over 30 universities and scientific institutes in Spain work with CERN.
The stamp design shows the underground tunnel at CERN where the particle collider is located. It is surrounded by the flags of the member states and the organisation's logo.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.