In an extraordinary display of astronomical timing and photographic skill, a US astrophotographer has captured what is being hailed as a “once-in-a-lifetime shot”: the International Space Station (ISS) silhouetted against the Sun, precisely as a solar flare erupted from the star’s surface. This breathtaking image offers a rare glimpse into the dynamic ballet of our solar system.
Andrew McCarthy, known for his stunning celestial photography, shared the remarkable images and a short video on his Instagram, where the station appears to zip across the Sun in a mere flash. The shot is particularly unique because it simultaneously features the human-made marvel of the ISS and the unpredictable, powerful phenomenon of a solar flare.
“While waiting for the ISS to transit the sun, a sunspot group started flaring, leading to this once-in-a-lifetime shot,” McCarthy wrote, describing the moment of serendipity that elevated his planned ISS transit photo to something truly exceptional. He has titled the piece “Kardashev Dreams,” a reference to the Kardashev scale, which measures a civilization’s technological advancement based on its energy consumption. McCarthy explained that the title represents humanity’s “first steps to being a much greater civilization,” highlighting the stark contrast between humanity’s largest spacecraft and the immense power of the Sun.
Capturing such an event requires meticulous planning and precise execution. The ISS orbits Earth at an incredible speed, meaning its transit across the Sun lasts for less than a second. Photographers must use specialized equipment, including solar filters to protect their cameras and eyes, and employ high-speed burst photography or video to capture the fleeting moment. McCarthy’s setup included an Espirit 150 telescope and an Apollo-M Max camera, modified for safe solar photography. He also reported enduring extreme heat in the desert to secure the perfect vantage point, taking extensive measures to keep his sensitive electronics cool.
The image vividly illustrates the scale of the cosmos, showing the tiny silhouette of the ISS against the vast, turbulent surface of our star. The addition of the solar flare, an unpredictable burst of energy and radiation, makes McCarthy’s photograph a truly singular achievement in astrophotography.
The incredible image has rapidly gone viral across social media platforms, with viewers expressing awe at the clarity and rarity of the shot. Many are calling it one of the most remarkable space photographs ever taken. McCarthy has made the image available as a limited edition print, offering two versions, including a wide panorama that further emphasizes the ISS’s diminutive size against the full solar disc. This photograph serves as a powerful reminder of both the grandeur of the universe and the remarkable capabilities of human ingenuity and dedication.
