Is the colour in space images 'real'?

Are you fascinated by beautiful pictures of objects in space but always left wondering whether the colour shown is “real"? This video is all about how astronomers use colour in images to best highlight the physics that is going on in each object. From how cameras work, to colour theory, to images in space, we’re covering it all in this one.

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👩🏽‍💻 Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist researching galaxies and supermassive black holes at Christ Church at the University of Oxford.

[WayneTheSeine]

So finally... someone clearly explains how these photos are processed and created. When I first saw the Eagle Nebula photos from Hubble I was astounded at the beauty. Then, regrettably, I was informed the color was fake (no Santa Claus) You can imagine the let down. However, I still was mesmerized by the glory of the photo. Now, some years later, Dr. Becky lifts my spirits....Santa Claus is real....in a way. That's good enough for me. Thank You Dr. Becky.

[travism]

I walked outback tonight, looked up at a toenail moon and immediately thought, "that's Dr. Becky's favorite!"

[thefirstbloom]

This is was such an interesting topic!!! I love how clearly and straight to the point you explain things... I really enjoyed the video:)

[BrantAxt]

When someone asks if the color is "real" they normally mean that, "if I was there, could I see that with my eyes"? For most astronomy photos, the answer is simply "no". That doesn't make them less beautiful photos though. In fact I would argue the ability to see things our eyes can't normally see is even more beautiful.

[rickseiden]

"When I was an astronomer, I had to wait 1 hour for my photo plate to develop, and it was uphill both ways, in the snow to do it!"

[realdragon]

It's worth mentioning phone cameras also see infra red light, it's cool when you point camera at remote and see flashing LED

[kiwiskiz]

I've stumbled across this video, one of the most concise explanations of 'colour' as apples to digital photography. Thanks!!

[Valdagast]

Fifty Thousand Shades of Red: Secret Life of an Astrophysicist

[markmuir]

Great video with clear explanations! One nitpick for technical accuracy: CCDs and CMOS both read-out one pixel at a time. The difference is CMOS sensors have an analog to digital converter integrated into each pixel (because they can). CCDs can’t do this because they are made on a different substrate and use voltages incompatible with digital electronics - they have to share a single A2D converter on a separate chip. This makes for a slow read-out, and introduces extra noise. But the CCD itself is so much more sensitive to light than silicon, it more than makes up for that difference in noise. Having all pixels go through the same A2D converter also has the benefit that they are more consistent (the noise created by each A2D converter will be subtly different - making each pixel in a CMOS sensor produce slightly different results for the same signal). Hope that helps anyone who’s interested.

[marsgal]

Back in the day most colour film (yes, I'm showing my age...) was sensitive to red and picked up the hydrogen alpha line in emission nebulae, which then photographed as red or pink. None of the colour layers were sensitive to the green oxygen line. Then Fuji made film with a fourth green-sensitive colour layer, which photographed emission nebulae as turquoise.

[christopherwatson]

Love how your talking about the Photoelectric Effect in the video, and I just learnt the concept in Physics. One of my favourite concepts that’s for sure!

[robertholmes]

Like when the aurora of Jupiter had to be superimposed onto an old image of the planet in order to show its location. Editing images can reveal so much more information and also make the information more understandable. 😀

[ThisHandleIsNotAvailable.]

Interesting topic. I have seen misinformation in discussions on this subject, as an an attempt to delegitimize cosmology.
_"Nasa images are fake"_ theories intersect with the _"moon landing was fake"_ and _"the Earth is flat"_ on a Venn diagram of anti-science contingencies.

This video addresses a popular misconception.

[THE-X-Force]

Really glad I found this channel. Thank you Joe Scott! And thank you Dr. Becky for the excellent, informative, accessible, and fascinating science you share with us. Beautifully done!

[justinmccln]

Thank you! I went through this in an Astronomy lecture and I absorbed enough to pass the exams but I didnt truly understand the coloring of images until watching this video. You did such a great job of explaining each phenomenon happening and I am super as well as the purpose behind each and I am suuuper thankful!

[sadiqmohamed]

That is the best explanation of the photo electric effect, and how a digital image sensor works I have seen, yet. Very clear and concise. Another win for Dr Becky!

[dhart]

Why can I not "like" this video more than once? This is both entertaining AND educational.

[johnbeckman]

Great production. Thank you for doing all of that work! I know it takes even more work to explain things efficiently and effectively, so thanks again!

[bj]

You are so much fun to listen to! I always wanted a clear, concise, (but non-boring) explanation of this subject. And i just watched it! Thanks so much!

[andydaniel]

Thanks, Dr. Becky. I've been looking at images like these for years but never really understood the different approaches to adding colour. Now I do.