Photo of skydiver falling past the Sun goes viral: 'The Fall of Icarus'

McCarthy described the undertaking as requiring “an absolutely preposterous level of planning” and remarked that it “might be the first photo of its kind in existence.”

A striking photograph taken by Arizona-based astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy has gone viral after social-media users marvelled at the sight of a skydiver appearing to plunge in front of the solar disc. The image, titled “The Fall of Icarus”, shows Gabriel C. Brown, a YouTuber and amateur skydiver, seemingly free-falling in front of the Sun during a meticulously planned shoot.

Captured on November 8 in the Arizona desert at around 9 am MST (11 am EST), the shot required the skydiver to jump from a small aircraft at approximately 3,500 feet (1,070 m) while McCarthy positioned his telescopes about 8,000 feet (2,440 m) away. In hydrogen-alpha light, which is used to reveal fine detail on the Sun’s surface, the jumper’s silhouette aligns perfectly with swirling solar textures, creating the illusion of a figure falling through space.

McCarthy described the undertaking as requiring “an absolutely preposterous level of planning” and remarked that it “might be the first photo of its kind in existence.” Weeks of preparation went into timing the aircraft, aligning the field of view, meeting strict safety constraints, and coordinating the exact moment of the jump. The result captured not just a skydive, but a dramatic cosmic moment that blurred art and astronomy.

On social platforms the image was widely shared, with users responding in awe. One commented: “Insanely epic. You’re pushing the boundaries of what astrophotography can be.” Another wrote: “This has got to be the cover of something. Absolutely magnificent.”

The buzz underscores how extraordinary moments crafted with technical precision can capture public imagination. As McCarthy continues his record of capturing rare solar alignments, from the International Space Station crossing the Sun to rockets slicing the solar disc. This latest image has set a new benchmark for solar-skydiving photographs.

Beyond its visual impact, the photo taps into mythic imagery: McCarthy named it “The Fall of Icarus” in reference to the Greek legend of ambition, flight and descent. The metaphor is fitting for an image that appears to show a human form dancing on the edge of our star.

In a world saturated with images, few achieve the viral effect of this one where science, adventure and spectacle converge at precisely the right moment. It’s a reminder that sometimes the perfect shot isn’t a matter of fortune, but relentless planning, human daring and an eye for the extraordinary.