We can enhance color images by showing each individual red,
green and violet filter image in a full range of brightness from
black to white. Instead of requiring that all the filters be treated
the same, we can increase the contrast of each color seperately. This can
show subtle color differences more clearly, but it can also lead to false
impressions.
For example, areas on Io that appear whiteish at visible wavelengths
(on the left hand side of the image below) look blue in an enhanced
color picture (on the right), just because they are not as yellow as
other regions.
True- and
enhanced-color pictures of Io from orbit 14
Okay, I understand true color and enhanced
color. So what is false color?
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True- and
enhanced-color pictures of Io from orbit 14