Why in News?  

• India released a commemorative stamp, to mark the 125th anniversary of the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory.  

Key Points  

• Event: Stamp release held at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru.  
• Observatory Established: April 1, 1899, located in Tamil Nadu.  
• Institution: Part of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).  
• Legacy: Pioneer in Indian solar astrophysics research for over a century.  

Features of the Stamp  

• Shows the historic twin-domed building of the observatory.  
• Right Dome: Houses a 6-inch telescope (from 1850, originally Madras Observatory).  
• Left Dome: Contains an 8-inch telescope (from 1866).  
• Includes a recent H-alpha image of the Sun (May 6, 2024).  
• Displays the IIA logo and a ‘Butterfly Diagram’ showing sunspot data from 1904 to 2020.  

Purpose of the Stamp  

• To honour 125 years of solar research in India.  
• To raise awareness of India’s contributions to global solar science.  
• To provide a collectible tribute for philatelists and science enthusiasts.