Capturing the Sun: The Astounding Photography Feat of 'The Fall of Icarus
An impressive feat in photography was achieved by an Arizona-based astrophotographer who captured a skydiver in free fall perfectly aligned with the sun. Andrew McCarthy, known for his solar photography, collaborated with Gabriel C. Brown to create the striking image titled “The Fall of Icarus” in the Arizona desert. The meticulous planning, complex mathematics, and multiple attempts were necessary to capture this unique shot.
The project involved Brown jumping from a small propeller-powered aircraft at around 3,500 feet while McCarthy positioned himself approximately 8,000 feet away with telescopes. The precision required for the shot included finding the right location, time, aircraft, and distance for the clearest shot, as well as coordinating the exact moment of the jump on three-way communication. The technical challenges extended beyond the jump itself, with McCarthy monitoring a live feed and radioing Brown when to leap.
McCarthy used hydrogen-alpha light to capture the sun’s chromosphere, the fiery outer atmosphere invisible in normal white light, providing a dramatic backdrop for Brown’s silhouette. The image’s remarkable quality was achieved through special filters that block out all light except the specific red wavelength emitted by hydrogen gas in the sun’s atmosphere. After capturing Brown’s transit, McCarthy created a high-resolution mosaic of the entire sun using a separate telescope and matched the features to create the final composite image.
The successful shoot was a result of months of planning and meticulous execution, with McCarthy describing the photo as one of the top 5 he has ever taken in his career. Brown, who had prior experience with similar projects, expressed his elation at the achievement, calling it the best skydive of his life. The collaboration between the astrophotographer and the skydiver resulted in a truly unique and breathtaking image that showcases the beauty and complexity of capturing the sun in all its glory.