An Arizona photographer and a skydiver captured a rare image on November 8 that shows a human figure crossing the face of the sun. Photographer Andrew McCarthy and skydiver Gabriel Brown spent months planning the attempt, making six passes over the desert before securing the frame that later spread across social media. Their aim was to line up a freefalling skydiver with the rising sun and capture the moment through a solar telescope.
McCarthy, known for detailed images of the sun, had wondered whether a person could appear clearly in front of the bright disk without losing focus or contrast. Brown, an experienced skydiver, agreed to join the effort. They selected a site outside Phoenix where the terrain, the sun’s position, and the flight path could align.
The idea came earlier in the year after the pair made a skydive together. The final shot was later titled The Fall of Icarus.
We asked Andrew McCarthy about what went into creating this image. Here’s what he told us:
What inspired you to attempt a shot of a skydiver crossing the sun?
“My friend Gabriel Brown and I went skydiving together shortly after I released a photo of a different type of solar transit, which made us think of doing the shot.”
How did you plan the timing and alignment for the capture?
“The alignment was thanks to our pilot, Jim Hamberlin, who watched for the bloom created by the aircraft in sunlight on the ground and expertly guided it towards where I was on the ground.”
What gear and settings made this shot possible?
“This was shot using a telescope modified to see hydrogen-alpha light in a narrow enough bandpass to see the atmosphere of the sun. Exposures were short; I was shooting 1/1000 at 300 gain to properly expose with minimal motion blur.”
Did you coordinate with the skydiver, or was it based on prediction?
“Yes, this was highly planned and coordinated in real time via a 3-way call between myself, the pilot, and the skydiver.”
What was the biggest challenge during the shoot?
“Getting the alignment right was the biggest challenge in the moment. It took 6 passes where we got an attempt where the skydiver would pass through the narrow FOV of the telescope.”
What went through your mind when you saw you got the frame?
“I was almost stunned. I couldn’t believe we not only got the shot, but it was in focus and aligned.”
How much post-processing did the final image need?
“Similar to any hydrogen-alpha solar shot, the image was stacked for clarity and colored in post processing, as a monochrome camera was used.”
Why do you think this shot has taken off on social media?
“This is a hopeful image, one that displays the tenacious nature of humanity against the raw power of our star. It’s also unlike anything else out there, which I think helped make it popular.”
What do you hope people notice or feel when they look at it?
“I hope people realize that the sky is not the limit.”
What’s the next idea you’re excited to work on?
“I can’t really share yet, but let’s just say I hope it is as impactful as this one!”
This project shows how much can happen when creativity, skill, and a bit of boldness come together. Capturing a skydiver crossing the face of the sun isn’t just a technical achievement. It’s a reminder that there’s still plenty of room to chase ideas that feel impossible at first.