Claim:
An image shared online for years shows a scientist holding a basketball covered with “the world’s blackest substance.” mes Ratings and Recommendation (Truth Value Scales):rov = True
Surrey NanoSystems produces Vantablack, which they consider the “darkest man-made substance”. However…
False…the object in this photograph does not resemble a basketball; rather it is a metal disk of 11.811 inches (30mm). Additionally, this material could not be confirmed as being “the world’s blackest substance”.
Photo of man holding what appears to be an object similar to an enormous black hole was widely shared online in July 2024, leading social media users to claim the item was covered with Vantablack — “the world’s blackest substance”.
Since 2016, this image had been appearing online and frequently cropping up on Reddit in 2018, 2019 2024 and 2025, while also appearing as part of Instagram and Facebook posts in July 2024.
Some were intrigued by this mysterious photograph and left comments like, “Looks like an ACME hole that the Wiley Coyote would fall through”. Another commented “Like my bank account”.
Riot Fest hosted an explanation about this mysterious material (uncanny_goat on Reddit) as an apparent phenomenon, writing: “Science has created what may well be the darkest material ever known to man; in its depth, surface features become almost inaudible, three dimensional objects appear two dimensional and all forms seem two dimensional!”
Although it seems uncanny, this photo is genuine. It depicts a researcher at Surrey NanoSystems holding an object coated in Vantablack; an opaque “super-black coating” which absorbs so much light that its shape and texture become almost imperceptible–much like that found within black holes.
However, in an email from the company it was clarified that what is depicted is actually a 11.811 inches wide metal disk instead.
This photograph depicts an actual object; this time around it’s not basketball related but instead features an employee of Surrey Nanosystems holding onto one. You can view other employees holding similar or related objects on our images section of our website.
Further, Vantablack could not be independently confirmed as “the world’s blackest substance.” For instance, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reported in 2019 their creation of a super-dark material which absorbs 10 times as much light than Vantablack; therefore we rated this photograph miscaptioned.
Surrey NanoSystems reports that Vantablack does hold “an independently verified world record as the darkest man-made material.”
Instagram page and official website of company featuring several similar pictures to photo in question as well as videos from CNN, Sky News and motoring television show Top Gear explaining how the material worked. On YouTube the material could also be seen for demonstration – .
According to Vantablack’s own description of its product: Vantablack represents an entirely new class of super-black coatings with reflectances below 1% that remain constant from any viewing angle. This brand represents all three versions.
Vantablack(r), originally developed for satellite-borne blackbody calibration systems, holds an independently verified world record as being the darkest man-made substance ever created by mankind. Due to manufacturing limitations however, its super black hue has since been eclipsed by spray applied Vantablack coatings from our company.
Vantablack coatings boast superior absorption from ultraviolet to beyond terahertz wavelengths, making them the go-to material for deep space imaging, automotive sensing systems, optical systems as well as art and aesthetic applications. Their special properties make Vantablack an invaluable material.
Ben Jensen, Chief Technology Officer of Surrey NanoSystems, told Scientist Live magazine in 2016 about using Vantablack paint developed by Berlin Space Technology on an experimental microsatellite from BST:
Vantablack coating was initially developed to increase optical system efficiencies in space, and this BST satellite project gives us an early opportunity to evaluate it… The material can not only boost satellite performance but also dramatically decrease weight and size–something which could prove instrumental for future space missions.
“This material’s ability to absorb nearly all incident light enables it to improve performance of satellite’s star tracker-based positioning control system,” stated Scientific American further.
Though initially developed for scientific research purposes, Vantablack has since been used in special projects like video game marketing stunts and producing “the world’s blackest car and building at Winter Olympic”.
Despite these non-research applications, Surrey NanoSystems website clearly stated Vantablack is intended only for research use; their contact page read “Please be aware that we will not respond to requests related to commercial uses”.
Cover your car, boat, motorbike and bicycle from accidental damages with comprehensive car, boat, motorbike and bicycle coverage from Coating Solutions USA.
Use of Vantablack S-VIS in art applications
Coating household objects, rooms or personal musical instruments.
Wearable fashion items made of leather or fabric needing coating are some of the top priorities when it comes to protecting them against stain.
Please be aware that we do not respond to private email accounts like Gmail and Yahoo unless the name of the business you represent is stated as these coatings do not sell directly to consumers.
Snopes has investigated many instances of science fiction which proved true; examples include nanobots aiding sperm in fertilizing an egg, an electrician being electrocuted while still operating, and even sea slugs capable of withstanding being decapitated.
