Astrophotographer snaps skydiver falling in front of the sun

This is a classic example of a simple idea that no one had ever done before. The execution was complex, of course, and Andrew McCarthy is one of the most skilled astrophotographers. But once you get the idea, a number of people could have done it--but no one ever did.

Makes you wonder what other similar ideas are out there! You can bet McCarthy is already thinking some.

p.s.: My brush with celebrity is that I saw an Andrew McCarthy post on Quora when he was first getting started with astrophotography and gave him a few tips. Always important to remember that everyone was a beginner at one point: https://www.quora.com/Are-there-any-pro-tips-for-astrophotog...

> Makes you wonder what other similar ideas are out there!

There are examples of planes silhouetting the sun or moon. There are examples of the ISS. There are examples of planets (Mercury/Venus) crossing the sun, not the moon (obviously). I think someone else mentioned rockets being captured too.

People have also done similar with the moons of other planets. And of course that's how exoplanets have been discovered by looking the effects of a planet crossing between our line of sight of its host star.

FYI some of those amazing shots were also taken by Andrew McCarthy.

https://x.com/AJamesMcCarthy/status/1611128761776492544/

https://x.com/AJamesMcCarthy/status/1479541092693381120/

https://x.com/AJamesMcCarthy/status/1837219848478412935/

https://x.com/AJamesMcCarthy/status/1968658340679921925/