Maybe because it truly is “the final frontier,” the fascination with outer space continues to soar. Last week, I mentioned an envelope that flew to the moon aboard Apollo 11 that’s ready to cross the auction block for at least $20,000 to $30,000.

A few weeks ago, four gold and silver coins minted to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown returned to Earth after traveling 6 million miles to the International Space Station and back aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. Those coins aren’t slated to be sold but will be on display at the Jamestown, Va., museum.

This week, the U.S. Postal Service hopes the public will continue to look skyward with the release of its newest stamp, showcasing the Aurora Borealis - familiarly known as the Northern Lights. Seen in the sky regularly in Canada and Alaska, occasionally they are visible in a few northern U.S. states. While some mistakenly believe the colorful lights are caused by pollution - which is the true reason for beautiful bright-red sunsets - the Northern Lights are a naturally occurring phenomenon.

I won’t pretend to fully understand the reasons behind them, but the scientific explanation is that the lights are created when the Earth’s magnetic field is unusually active. During that time, electrons fall from space and collide with molecules in the upper atmosphere, creating waves of green and red light. Yeah, that’s pretty much what I thought.

Eight of the 35 nations participating in International Polar Year 2007-08 are also issuing similar stamps featuring the Northern Lights.

First Day of Issue special cancels on the new 41-cent stamps are available by mail for collectors. To receive one, purchase the stamp at a local post office, affix it to a self-addressed envelope and send that inside of a larger mailing envelope to: Polar Lights Stamps, Postmaster, Special Cancel, P.O. Box 92282, Washington, DC 20090-9998. There’s no charge for the cancel, but all orders MUST be postmarked no later than Nov. 30.

Last week, I also mentioned how the price of gold has been meteoric. Two weeks ago, it was $730 an ounce. Last week, it surpassed $745. Silver, too, is quietly edging up and is valued now at almost $14 an ounce. Considering the sales of America Eagle silver coins, collectors and investors have jumped on the gains. In August, sales of the silver bullion coins soared to 1,165,000 - nearly triple July’s sales of only 400,000.

As the stock market sets new records, the popularity of coin collecting is seen in the ever-increasing crowds at coin shows around the nation. On Oct. 18, 19 and 20, thousands of collectors are expected to descend on The St. Charles, Mo., Convention Center for The Silver Dollar & Rare Coin Expo.

For more information, call (800) 642-4305 or log onto www.scoins.com.

Peter Rexford can be reached at P.O. Box 50377, St. Louis, MO 63124.

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