Ultra-black coating on satellites may curb light pollution for astronomers

Astrophysicists have proposed that applying an ultra-black coating to satellites could significantly reduce the light pollution they cause in the night sky. The research, conducted at the University of Surrey, examines how the world's darkest known coating material could absorb reflected sunlight from orbiting satellites. This light pollution has become a growing concern as the number of commercial satellites in low Earth orbit continues to rise rapidly. Astronomers have warned that satellite brightness interferes with ground-based observations and disrupts astrophotography. The study suggests this coating technology could offer a practical mitigation strategy without requiring satellites to be decommissioned or repositioned.