Mount Rainier gets its own stamp as part of National Park Service's 100th anniversary

A star trail photograph of the night sky above Mount Rainier comprised of 200 images was revealed as a postage stamp Wednesday as part of the National Park Service's 100th anniversary celebration.

This is the 13th of 16 National Parks Forever Stamps being revealed over a 3-week period. The stamps won't be available for purchase until June.

“We are honored that such a striking view of Mount Rainier night sky was included in the National Parks Forever Stamp series,” said Randy King, Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park. “We are working with the United States Postal Service to plan a first-day-of-issue event at the park on June 2.”

Mount Rainier National Park officials say the stamp image was created by Matt Dieterich of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“This night was one I will never forget,” said Dieterich, who worked at Mount Rainier as an intern with the National Park Service Geoscientist-in-the-Parks to educate the public on dramatic views of the stars and the effect of light pollution near highly populated areas. “After working with visitors at the Mount Rainier astronomy program on June 22, 2015, I noticed there was an aurora, so I drove down to Reflection Lake to capture it.”

“The location was perfect as it contained a view of Mount Rainier and water for reflections,” he continued. “To create this star trails image I took 200 photos in a two-hour window between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. with my Nikon D750 and 24mm lens set at F/1.4 and ISO 5000. Since the Earth is rotating, each 8-sec. exposure shows stars at slightly different locations. When the photos are combined into one image the stars create a circular pattern around the North Star, which is just out of view at the top of the image. The pink aurora spread throughout the background sky. Mountaineers can be seen with their white headlamps climbing Mount Rainier on the right side of the volcano.”

“To capture star trails photos just like this,” he added, “all you need is a digital single lens reflex camera, a wide angle lens, tripod and shutter release cable. So what are you waiting for? Grab your gear and get out under the stars!"