--- title: "Amazing Shot Captures Space Station Flying Directly Across the Moon" description: "Photographer and astronomer Andrew McCarthy has shared a stunning new image he took of the International Space Station transiting in front of a sunlit Moon." date: "2022-06-23" modified: "2022-06-23" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/amazing-shot-space-station-flying-across-moon" categories: - "Astronomy" - "Moon" - "Space" tags: - "international space station" - "iss" - "moon" - "the digest" --- # Amazing Shot Captures Space Station Flying Directly Across the Moon ![Photographer and astronomer Andrew McCarthy has shared a stunning new image he took of the International Space Station transiting in front of a sunlit Moon.]() *\Image: NASA\* ## Forced Perspective Photographer and astronomer Andrew McCarthy has shared a stunning new image he took of the International Space Station transiting in front of a sunlit Moon — and the details are absolutely breathtaking. "Possibly my new favorite shot of all time," McCarthy [gloated](). "I woke up at 1:30 am this morning to capture a rare scene — the sunlit international space station transiting iconic craters over the last quarter Moon." The transiting space station was only in frame of McCarthy's telescope for less than a quarter of a second, but the photographer was still able to capture a series of images he later turned into a [magnificent video clip](). https://twitter.com/AJamesMcCarthy/status/1539319263097327616 ## Over the Moon The tight framing almost makes it seem like the ISS is hovering near the lunar surface. But in reality, the distance between the ISS and the Moon is [approximately 1,000 times]() the distance between us and the space station at around 250,000 miles. McCarthy also shared a [zoomed out version]() of the once-in-a-lifetime shot, showing off the incredible color of the lunar surface. "The color is real, and was captured using a second camera to show the rich mineral composition of the regolith," he explained. While the image is a stunning example of forced perspective, we could soon be looking at similar pictures that don't make use of the effect. NASA is planning to have a smaller space station, called the Gateway, orbit the Moon, allowing astronauts easy access to the lunar surface below. And we can't wait to see what that will end up looking like from above. **More on the ISS:** *[Russian Scientist Complains That the ISS Is Tainted With Disgusting Pathogens]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()