Astronomy photographer Jon Carmichael knew he wanted to capture 2017’s total solar eclipse on camera — he just didn’t quite know how.
Millions of Americans watched the event unfold last August, making it one of the most-photographed in history. And Carmichael felt the pressure.
He studied the eclipse’s path, and realized that a Southwest Airlines flight from Portland to St. Louis would put him in the perfect geographical — and physical — location to photograph the event.
So he booked a ticket.
Keep reading to see how he achieved what’s being hailed “the most amazing photo ever taken from a commercial airplane.”
Carmichael was ready to bribe a passenger for a window seat. Luckily, he didn’t have to — and the entire flight crew got on board with his mission.
Southwest doesn’t offer pre-assigned seats, so Carmichael came prepared to pay somebody for one facing the right window.
But once he explained his vision to the flight crew, they assured him he would get a great seat — and the captain actually cleaned Carmichael’s window to make sure it was crystal clear.
The pilots actually circled the eclipse a few times so passengers could witness the once-in-a-lifetime event. That’s when Carmichael captured his stunning photo.
“In photography, it’s very rare for something you envision to manifest itself, let alone to turn out even better than you had hoped,” he said.
“I had never felt more relieved, grateful, and excited in my life. Against all odds, it came together. It felt meant to be — and literally changed my life,” he told My Modern Met.
“We’re all one. We’re all connected. And if you keep viewing the world as a pale blue dot, as Carl Sagan would say, it humbles you — and we all could use an ego check. And take care of each other” he said.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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