Penn State Intercom......March 14, 2002
Wolszczan featured on
Polish millennium stamp set
By Andy Elder
Eberly
College of Science
Alexander
Wolszczan, Evan Pugh professor of astronomy and astrophysics and discoverer
of the first planets found outside our solar system, has been honored
by Poland in having his likeness featured on a special set of 16 postage
stamps celebrating the past millennium. Also featured on the stamps are
Nicolaus Copernicus, considered by many to be the founder of modern astronomy,
and the Arecibo radiotelescope, which Wolszczan used in his discovery
of the planets. 
"I have been told that the design of the stamp is intended to celebrate a continuation of a good tradition in astronomy in my homeland," Wolszczan said. "Copernicus moved us from the center of the universe to where we are now. Since then, many important steps have been taken to understand our position in the universe. My discovery is just one of many steps that have been taken."
Wolszczan's pairing with Copernicus is particularly apt, considering both lived in Torun, Poland; both are pioneers in astronomy; and Wolszczan earned his master's and doctoral degrees from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. Copernicus, who lived from 1473 to 1543, developed the Copernican system, which placed the sun at the center of planetary orbits. Wolszczan became the first person to discover planets outside our solar system in 1992, when he used the 1,000-foot Arecibo radiotelescope to detect three planets orbiting a rapidly spinning neutron star. His discovery, which suggested that planets might be plentiful throughout the universe, opened the door to the current intense era of planet-hunting.
Wolszczan said his honor can inspire future scientists all over the world.
"Certainly it immediately tells you that if you work hard enough, make good progress and have a little bit of good luck, you can go pretty far in science just as you can in other domains," he said. "In countries such as my homeland where it is more difficult to achieve something, such encouragement is especially inspiring to young people."
The Polish 16-stamp set, titled "Polish Millennium," summarizes the last 1,000 years of history, culture and science in Poland. Each stamp represents a different field of life, including: Christianity; parliamentarianism; history of political publications; theater; independence; internationalist traditions of the Polish military forces; astronomy; education; traditions of the Polish army; the struggle for independence; art; music; Poland in the European system; Polish symbols; Polish sport; and language, letters and literature.
Other prominent figures featured on stamps include Pope John Paul II and popular labor leader Lech Walesa, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 and elected his country's president in 1990.
"I'm very pleased to be on the stamp and it also feels a little bit strange because I never expected it would go that far," Wolszczan said. "I feel happy and a little bit embarrassed."
Images of the 16-stamp set and the individual stamp featuring Wolszczan are available on the Web at http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/Wolszczan2-2002.htm.
Andy Elder can be reached at awe2@psu.edu.