True colors

October 2012: How do you capture exciting celestial images without creating something that's not real?

Contributed by Bob Berman

Published: August 28, 2012

False-color images were all the rage 15 years ago. Back when CCDs and digital processing were new, it was exciting to redecorate the universe. No one minded. Outside of astro-purists who hated chartreuse galaxies, the public probably loved the new paint swatches. After all, actual emission nebulae are always the same repetitious shade of red, as if God bought the paint at a close-out sale. Why not spruce it all up? Some photographers still do.

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RICHARD M HUBER from FLORIDA said:

The red you talk about (Ha) may look that way only to humans. How does an octopus perceive Ha?
I have always enjoyed "false" colors that provide a broader visual experience.

CARL ZURCHER from CALIFORNIA said:

ADDING COLOR TO IMAGES IS LIKE ADDING SPICES TO YOUR DINNER. I THINK THE PICS ARE AWESOME AND IT SPARKS MY IMAGINATION AND MAKES ME DREAM. THANKS BOB THAT WAS COOL!

SHARON TENDER from FLORIDA said:

Thank you so much for writing this. I had no idea the colors were not real. I am new to astronomy and when I looked through my telescope at a nebula last week, I thought... well, I need a bigger telescope! Now I know the truth. Thanks so much! (but I still need a bigger telescope! LOL)

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