An astrophotographer and a skydiver have collaborated to create a remarkable image: a human figure sharply silhouetted against the fiery surface of the Sun. The photograph, captured on November 8, 2025, is believed to be the first of its kind, requiring meticulous planning and precise execution.
The Challenge of Alignment
Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy and skydiver Gabriel C. Brown spent six attempts aligning the Sun, the skydiver’s trajectory, exit altitude, and telescope distance to capture the image. The challenge lay in the sheer scale of the distances involved. The Sun is roughly 150 million kilometers from Earth, while the skydiver was only 2 kilometers from the camera. This meant the window for capturing the shot was fleeting, demanding absolute precision.
The Execution
Brown jumped from a small aircraft at an altitude of 1,070 meters (3,500 feet). The team coordinated the jump using three-way communication, factoring in the aircraft’s glide slope and the optimal Sun angle for the clearest shot. The photographer relied on the opposition effect from the aircraft to fine-tune the alignment. The entire operation was a testament to the power of collaboration and the pursuit of a unique photographic vision.
McCarthy’s Track Record
McCarthy is known for his highly detailed astrophotography. In 2022, he captured a million-mile-long coronal mass ejection erupting from the Sun. He has also collaborated with planetary scientist Connor Matherne to capture the intricacies of the Moon’s Earth-facing surface, compiling 200,000 images over nearly two years. Earlier this year, he captured a solar flare photobombing the International Space Station, a feat made even more impressive by the vast distances involved.
The Significance of Scale
The latest photograph is notable not just for its subject matter but for the relative proximity of the skydiver to the camera. While the Sun is 150 million kilometers away, Brown was only 2 kilometers from McCarthy’s equipment. This meant the photographer had only a brief window to capture the shot, making the execution all the more impressive.
The collaboration between McCarthy and Brown demonstrates the power of combining scientific precision with creative vision. The resulting image is a stunning reminder of the beauty and complexity of the universe, captured in a single, breathtaking moment
