Arizona amateur astronomer Andrew McCarthy captured a viral photograph that appears to show a skydiver silhouetted against the Sun. McCarthy shared a behind-the-scenes video explaining the setup: telescopes in the desert and YouTuber-skydiver Gabriel Brown jumping from an ultralight aircraft precisely positioned between photographer and star. The image was taken during an active phase of the Sun’s 11-year cycle; this week it produced the strongest solar flare of the year so far, causing radio blackouts across parts of Africa and Europe. Increased solar activity has also produced auroras visible unusually far south, offering dramatic opportunities for astrophotography.
Incredible Photo: Skydiver Silhouetted Against the Sun — The True Story Behind the Shot
Arizona amateur astronomer Andrew McCarthy captured a viral photograph that appears to show a skydiver silhouetted against the Sun. McCarthy shared a behind-the-scenes video explaining the setup: telescopes in the desert and YouTuber-skydiver Gabriel Brown jumping from an ultralight aircraft precisely positioned between photographer and star. The image was taken during an active phase of the Sun’s 11-year cycle; this week it produced the strongest solar flare of the year so far, causing radio blackouts across parts of Africa and Europe. Increased solar activity has also produced auroras visible unusually far south, offering dramatic opportunities for astrophotography.
01:07 AM, 11/15/2025Science
How a Once-in-a-Lifetime Photo Was Made
An extraordinary photograph appears to show a person skydiving across the glowing face of the Sun. Rather than being a digital composite, the photographer says the image is genuine and has behind-the-scenes proof.
Who captured it? Arizona-based amateur astronomer Andrew McCarthy shared the now-viral image on Reddit, calling it “the most preposterously fake-looking real photo I’ve ever captured.” The image is titled The Fall of Icarus.
The setup
In a detailed behind-the-scenes video on Instagram, McCarthy explains the careful logistics: he set up multiple telescopes in a desert location and positioned himself so the Sun, his cameras and an ultralight aircraft lined up perfectly. His friend — YouTuber and experienced skydiver Gabriel Brown — was asked to jump from the ultralight at the exact moment it passed in front of the Sun.
“When the time was right, I told him to jump,” McCarthy says in the clip.
McCarthy fired a rapid burst of exposures as Brown released the aircraft. One frame captured the skydiver as a perfect silhouette against the Sun’s churning, active surface. In the video McCarthy can be heard celebrating: “I got it, dude!”
Why the timing was ideal
The Sun is currently in the most active phase of its roughly 11-year cycle, producing frequent and powerful solar storms. This week it unleashed the strongest solar flare of the year so far, contributing to radio blackouts across parts of Africa and Europe. That heightened activity also increases the chances of dramatic auroral displays — which have been visible unusually far south in recent nights, in some cases as far as Florida — offering additional opportunities for striking astrophotography.
Context and availability
The photograph showcases careful planning, expert piloting and precise timing rather than any photo manipulation. McCarthy has made prints available to support his work; he shared the process publicly to demonstrate the image’s authenticity.
Takeaway: A mix of technical skill, expert coordination and rare solar drama produced a shot that looks almost impossible — and yet, by McCarthy’s account and footage, is very much real.