Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy has captured an incredible moment where a falling skydiver was perfectly aligned with the Sun, creating a breathtaking silhouette against the fiery surface of our star. This rare and “absolutely preposterous” image required meticulous planning and technical precision, as McCarthy detailed on X, calling it a potentially groundbreaking photo.
The process involved aligning the angle of the Sun, the skydiver’s position, the exit altitude, ground distance, and telescope distance all at the exact same moment. After six failed attempts, McCarthy and his collaborator, skydiver and musician Gabriel C. Brown, finally succeeded in capturing the image on Sunday, 8 November 2025, at 0900 local time. Brown jumped from a small propeller-powered aircraft at an altitude of 1,070 meters (around 3,500 feet) to create this stunning visual.
The successful shot was the result of finding the right location, time, aircraft, and distance for the clearest image, while factoring in the aircraft’s power-off glideslope for the optimal Sun angle and safe exit altitude. McCarthy’s reputation for detailed astrophotography is well-known, with previous works including capturing a million-mile-long coronal mass ejection from the Sun and revealing the intricate details of the Moon’s Earth-facing surface in collaboration with planetary scientist Connor Matherne.
McCarthy’s latest masterpiece adds to his impressive portfolio, showcasing his ability to capture extraordinary moments in space. From a solar flare photobombing the International Space Station to a skydiver tumbling across the Sun, McCarthy’s work continues to inspire awe and wonder. Follow McCarthy on Instagram, X, Facebook, and his website for more mesmerizing astrophotography.
