The **International Space Station (ISS)** revolves around Earth significantly closer than the **moon**, which is nearly 1,000 times more distant. Nevertheless, a remarkable photograph by famous space photographer **Andrew James McCarthy** creates an illusion of the ISS effortlessly traversing the lunar surface, with both objects showcased in crisp detail.
Taken on **February 5**, McCarthy’s photo aligns the ISS with **Shackleton Crater**, a prominent feature near the moon’s south pole and a potential landing location for upcoming **NASA** missions. In contrast to many previous images where the ISS appears as a dark outline against Earth’s shadow, this time McCarthy succeeded in capturing it brightly lit by sunlight, positioned along the **lunar terminator**—the line that separates the moon’s illuminated and shadowed domains.
*”This might just be my new favorite,”* McCarthy shared with **Mashable**. *”What I appreciate about this is that the ISS has real dimension due to the illumination. I’ve photographed it this way before, but never at such high resolution.”*
### A Difficult Capture
This stunning image showcases the **sharp, angular structure of the ISS** against the moon’s rough, crater-laden terrain. Yet, capturing this moment was quite challenging. The ISS, roughly the size of an **American football field**, travels around Earth at a speed of **17,000 mph (5 miles per second)**. The complete transit across the moon occurred in the blink of an eye—fast enough to be overlooked in mere seconds.
McCarthy, previously a tech startup manager, embarked on **astrophotography** after becoming unemployed just before the **COVID-19 pandemic**. Over time, he developed his skills, documenting celestial phenomena and selling high-quality prints of his photographs.
### Overcoming Challenges
Earlier in February, McCarthy pinpointed two successive days when the ISS would pass in front of the moon, providing ideal photographic chances. On **February 4**, he made his way to **Yuma, Arizona**, and set up his gear in a private parking lot, having received permission from the owner. His setup consisted of **14-inch and 11-inch telescopes, a variety of cameras, cell phones, and a Canon R5 with a 1,000mm telephoto lens**.
However, right before the transit, **one of his laptops failed**, and his **14-inch telescope malfunctioned**. In spite of these challenges, he chose to attempt the following day again.
On **February 5**, McCarthy ventured to a secluded spot **35 miles east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport**. The only available location was a narrow dirt road surrounded by **prickly cholla cacti**, which scraped against his vehicle. He meticulously arranged his equipment, using rocks to stabilize his telescopes on the uneven terrain. To guarantee a reliable internet connection, he even set up a **Starlink satellite dish**.
Amid fierce winds and dazzling sunlight, McCarthy maintained his concentration. However, mere moments before the crucial point, **his laptop crashed again**. In a split-second choice, he switched computers and successfully captured the image with a shutter speed of **1/5,000th of a second**.
### Compiling the Final Image
After photographing the ISS transit, McCarthy continued to capture images of the moon at the identical focal length. He subsequently merged thousands of frames to create a **detailed mosaic**, with each section comprising about **2,000 stacked images**. Since the original image was captured in **black and white**, he utilized his **Canon R5** to record color data separately.
### Addressing Doubt
In a time of **AI-generated images**, many individuals doubt the legitimacy of remarkable space photographs. To combat skepticism, McCarthy often shares **raw images and motion sequences** on social networks and his **website**, providing evidence of his efforts. While some remain doubtful, others are convinced by the proof.
*”A significant portion of astrophotography involves revealing what’s imperceptible—what’s so faint that it’s invisible to the naked eye,”* McCarthy remarked.
His latest ISS transit photograph stands as a testament to both **his expertise and commitment**, capturing a transient moment that merges **science, technology, and art** into a stunning portrayal of space.