Astrophotographer Captures Stunning Image of Skydiver Near the Sun

An astrophotographer has achieved a remarkable feat by capturing an image that makes it appear as though a skydiver is plummeting through space in front of the sun. The photograph, taken by Andrew McCarthy, an Arizona-based expert in solar photography, aligns the skydiver perfectly with the sun’s fiery surface. This extraordinary shot was captured on November 8, 2023, at approximately 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time).

The image, titled “The Fall of Icarus,” required extensive planning and precise execution, with McCarthy noting that it “might be the first photo of its kind in existence.” The skydiver featured in the photograph is Gabriel C. Brown, a YouTuber and musician, who leapt from a small propeller-driven aircraft at an altitude of around 3,500 feet (1,070 meters), approximately 8,000 feet (2,440 meters) from McCarthy’s camera.

Planning and Execution of the Shot

Capturing this stunning image was no small task. McCarthy and Brown undertook weeks of meticulous planning, which ultimately resulted in six attempts to align the aircraft with the sun correctly. “It was a narrow field of view, so it took several attempts to line up the shot,” said McCarthy. “We only had one shot at the jump, as repacking the parachute safely would take too long for another.”

The duo faced several challenges, particularly with tracking the aircraft effectively through the sky. “Capturing the sun is something I’m quite familiar with, but this added new challenges,” he explained. The moment of the jump was captured in hydrogen alpha light, which enhances the sun’s atmosphere, allowing the fiery surface to stand out against the backdrop of space.

Brown shared behind-the-scenes content on social media, including a video of him and McCarthy celebrating the successful shot. “You can see the excitement on my face in the videos,” McCarthy told Live Science. “Seeing it perfectly captured on my monitors was exhilarating.”

A Unique Achievement in Astrophotography

McCarthy described this new photograph as comfortably one of the “top 5” images he has produced throughout his career. In recent months, he has also captured other remarkable solar transits, including a “once-in-a-lifetime” shot of the International Space Station passing in front of a solar flare and a SpaceX rocket appearing to intersect with the solar disk.

In addition to this latest achievement, McCarthy has photographed a massive plasma plume extending over 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) from the sun and has produced ultra-high-definition images of the lunar surface, as well as striking visuals of Mars eclipsed by the moon.

The image of the skydiver and the sun has generated significant interest, demonstrating the potential of creative astrophotography. As McCarthy continues to push the boundaries of this field, his work not only captures breathtaking visuals but also inspires a deeper appreciation for the wonders of our universe.