Arizona-based astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy captured a once-in-a-lifetime image of the International Space Station (ISS) transiting the Sun just as a solar flare erupted in the background. The photo, taken from the Sonoran Desert, has since gone viral, earning praise from both the space and photography communities.
The image, titled “Kardashev Dreams”, was first reported by ScienceAlert and showcases the ISS as a tiny silhouette against the blazing solar disc, with a solar flare bursting from a nearby sunspot group.
A Perfectly Timed Solar Flare and ISS Transit
Capturing the ISS crossing the Sun is already a rare feat, as the station orbits Earth every 90 minutes and transits last less than a second. However, McCarthy’s image stands out because it also features a medium-sized solar flare, a fleeting event that added dramatic flair to the composition.
“This is one of my favorite shots of all time due to the fleeting nature of these solar flares and the ISS transits,” McCarthy shared on Instagram. He used multiple telescopes and cooling systems to combat the desert heat, stacking thousands of images to create a high-resolution composite.
Kardashev Dreams: A Tribute to Human Progress
McCarthy named the image Kardashev Dreams, referencing Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev, who proposed a scale to measure a civilization’s technological advancement. The photo, he says, symbolizes “our first steps to being a much greater civilization.”
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Despite the dramatic visuals, experts clarified that the ISS was never in danger. The station orbits about 400 kilometers above Earth, far from the Sun’s surface. While solar flares can increase radiation exposure, this event posed no immediate threat.
Limited Edition Prints and Global Acclaim
McCarthy is offering the image as a limited-edition print in two versions: a close-up and a wide panorama showing the full solar disc. Social media users have hailed it as “photo of the year,” with many calling for it to win awards.