On February 5, 2025, the International Space Station (ISS), orbiting 250 miles above Earth, made a rare transit in front of the Moon. Andrew McCarthy, a skilled astrophotographer, captured this incredible event with his camera.
The resulting photograph shows the ISS seemingly gliding across the lunar surface. The ISS is framed against Shackleton Crater, a prominent landmark near the Moon's south pole and a potential future landing site for NASA astronauts.
A Challenging Endeavor
Obtaining this photograph was no easy feat. It required meticulous planning, overcoming multiple equipment malfunctions, a journey to a clear vantage point, thousands of frames, and perfect timing.
The ISS travels at approximately 17,000 miles per hour. The entire transit could have been missed in the blink of an eye.
Technical Difficulties
McCarthy's first attempt was thwarted by technical issues. One of his laptops crashed, and a telescope malfunctioned.
He decided to try again the following day. This time, the planned path of the transit took him to a remote location about 35 miles east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
There, he set up his equipment. Because the ground was uneven, he used wedges under his telescopes to keep them level. He then set up a Starlink to connect to high-speed internet.
Success
This time, McCarthy's efforts were rewarded. He successfully photographed the ISS as it crossed in front of the Moon.
The stunning image showcases the hard geometric lines of the spacecraft against the Moon's organic undulations.
Real or Fake?
In this era of artificial intelligence and image manipulation, the public doesn't always trust the authenticity of such extraordinary photographs.
McCarthy goes to great lengths to prove the genuineness of his photos, often sharing "receipts" of his work.
This photograph is a testament to McCarthy's perseverance and skill. It reminds us of the wonder of astrophotography and the dedication it takes to capture such breathtaking moments.
The transit was about .5s, in my FOV for .17s pic.twitter.com/BySBLYmdZ8
— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) February 8, 2025
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