August 21, 2017, has found its place in history next to other solar eclipses. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun temporarily blocking it from view, but what makes this solar eclipse so special has nothing to do with the cosmos. While authorities were urging onlookers to protect their eyes from the Sun, sever skydivers were looking to get a better view.
Four thrill seeking skydivers took a helicopter ride to 11,000 feet above beautiful Orangegurg County, South Carolina and jumped during the darkness of the eclipse. They were wearing pyrotechnics to add to the beauty of the cosmic event. After landing, this is what one skydiver had to say:
“We haven’t practiced this. It’s the middle of the night, as far as we’re concerned, in darkness. We’re jumping with pyrotechnics, which shoots out flaming streams of molten aluminum or something. I don’t know what we have to be worried about, really,” said Burke Fitzpatrick.
At the same time in Madras, Oregon, the first ever recorded wing suit skydive during an eclipse was happening. About half a dozen jumpers in wing suits jumped out of the aircraft at 14,000 feet into the eclipse darkened sky. The lights on their helmets were shining brightly.
Both teams were able to experience the solar eclipse in a once in a lifetime kind of way. Jumping from thousands of feet in the air to get a closer view of the incredible cosmic event. Jumpers will have to wait until April 8, 2024, to get another chance at skydiving during a solar eclipse.
