End of Satellite Hurry for Astronomers – | Iranian and world news

According to RCO News Agency, with the increase in the number of orbit satellites, optical pollution has become a serious threat to astronomy. Now, a new cover is designed using carbon nanotubes at the University of Surrey, which can almost invisible satellites and pave the way for mass production.

While thousands of satellites are rotating in the orbit of the Earth today and providing continuous communication and navigation services, their reflection of light from the ground has created a fundamental challenge for observatory and astronomers. Great projects such as the StarLink satellite system, launched by SpaceX for the World Internet, although they have been revolutionary in digital access, have simultaneously disrupted astronomical images.

For example, at the time of official operation of the $ 1.5 billion Vera Rubin Observatory in June, scientists expect up to 5 % of its images to somehow beat satellites.

Previous solutions to reduce these annoying reflections included the use of dark coatings on satellites, but these methods faced challenges such as fragility of coatings, difficulty in the coating process, and the risk of overheating. Now, researchers at the University of Series in the UK have designed a cover called Vantablack 2, which can be a turning point in solving the problem.

This new coating is made of an innovative combination of carbon nanotubes and special adhesives and can withstand radiation, atomic oxygen, and severe temperatures in space. In addition, the Vantablack ۲۰۱۱ has retained its darkness even after simulating three years of orbit in orbit and shows better light performance than competing coatings.

The impressive advantage of this coating is the possibility of its simple use; Unlike previous examples, this material can be applied to clean environments as regular paint and is easily touched and transported in the manufacturing process. “The previous coatings had a very sensitive structure and even touched them,” says Keiran Clifford, a materialist at Surrey Nanosystems. “We needed a cover that engineers could work with them easily.”

The first actual test of this cover is to be performed on the “Jovian 2” student satellite; A satellite designed in collaboration with the UK universities and is scheduled to be launched next year. Part of the solar panel of the satellite will be covered with Vantablack ۲۰ and during the satellite rotation, the reflection of light from the Earth will be measured.

Studies have shown that this coating reduces the intensity of the satellite’s glow by about 2; It is almost invisible to the human eye. While starlink satellites are usually between 1 and 2 and are easily seen. In the astronomical measuring system, the higher the magnitude, the less the body; Therefore, the number 1 represents a very weak and unattractive light for the naked eye.

In addition, the new coverage reflects only 5 % of visible and close -up light, while competing coatings reflect about 2 %.

This innovation not only promises more transparent and accurate images for astronomers, but also benefit the satellite industry; Because by reducing the concerns of the scientific community, the likelihood of strict restrictions is reduced and the path of mass production of satellites will be smoother.

Although it is too early to consider this achievement as a definitive revolution in the space industry, Vantablack ۱۱ is undoubtedly an important step in the co -operation of modern technologies with the pure and pristine night sky.