National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Satellites acquire images in black and white, so how is it possible to create the beautiful color images that we see on television, in magazines, and on the internet? Computers provide us with the answer.

Remember that images created using different bands (or wavelengths) have different contrast (light and dark areas). Computers make it possible to assign "false color" to these black and white images. The three primary colors of light are red, green, and blue. Computer screens can display an image in three different bands at a time, by using a different primary color for each band. When we combine these three images we get a "false color image".

To really understand a false color image, we must know which band was assigned to each of the three colors.

Think:

1. Why can a false color image only display three bands at a time? Click here for Answer.
2. Why do we call colored satellite images "false color images"?Click here for Answer.
3. Why is it important to know which band was assigned to each color in "false color" images?Click here for Answer.

Let's learn more. (continue on to Color and Reflection)