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Arizona-based astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy, known globally for his razor-sharp images of the Sun and Moon, has achieved what he calls an “absolutely preposterous” photographic feat. On November 8, at around 9 am local time, McCarthy captured a surreal, perfectly timed image of a skydiver silhouetted against the blazing surface of the Sun, an alignment so unlikely that he believes it “might be the first photo of its kind in existence.”

McCarthy shared the breathtaking shot on X, titling it “The Fall of Icarus.” The image features skydiver, YouTuber, and musician Gabriel C. Brown, who appears to be free-falling directly in front of the Sun’s churning chromospher, a moment that required weeks of calculations, coordination, and precision.

A Photo That Defies Reality

Capturing a detailed solar image is difficult on its own, but adding a fast-moving aircraft and a falling human into the frame takes the challenge to an entirely new level. McCarthy revealed that the alignment between the solar angle, Brown’s descent, the aircraft’s flight path, and the camera’s exact position had to sync within a margin of just a few seconds.

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He described the planning as “absolutely preposterous”, noting that even the slightest deviation would have ruined the alignment. Despite these challenges, McCarthy nailed the shot on the very first attempt.

In the image, Brown appears as a crisp black silhouette suspended against the massive, glowing solar disc, an illusion created by perspective. The skydiver leapt from about 3,500 feet (1,070 meters), while McCarthy was positioned 8,000 feet (2,440 meters) away. Brown was nowhere near the Sun physically, but from the camera’s viewpoint, he appears to be falling through space itself.

Behind The Scenes Of A Viral Moment

Brown shared behind-the-scenes footage on Instagram, including images from the aircraft and a celebratory moment with McCarthy after they confirmed the perfect capture. The collaboration required extreme timing, steady weather conditions, and meticulous coordination between the photographer and skydiver.

McCarthy later announced that “The Fall of Icarus” will be available as a limited fine-art print, attracting immediate interest from photography and astronomy enthusiasts around the world.

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