When we take photos of these amazing stars and gases in space, like the crab nebula, planets, galaxies, etc., why do they appear to have color? Why does anything in the universe have color and what is it, where does it come from?
2006-07-01 04:57:19 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When you heat a gas, it has a transmission spectrum... depending on the gas, it gives a different "color". The colors you see from the photographs are the super heated gas plasma emitting light.
2006-07-01 05:01:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What the other people said is true, the color comes from the frequency of light that is being emitted, reflected, or filtered through these things.
However, many of the photographs that we end up seeing use 'false color imaging' to show differences that our eyes might never see.
The pictures that come back to earth from distant imaging systems were sent as binary files. The colors were put back in by computers.
Some of the most spectacular pictures of the sun are taken through filters to only show the calcium emission spectrum of the corona. You would never see this through a telescope.
However, rereading your question, I think it has more to do with the fact that we developed a sensory device (eyes) that was dependent upon detecting light. That device only works when the sun, the moon, or the stars are out. So, one could argue that we detect colors from celestial emitters because it was a survival mechanism. Now that we are looking at celestial objects that are far, far away, we are seeing the same things that we were evolved to see locally.
Also, there is a lot more there than what our eyes can see. The true color photos are just showing us the parts we are designed to see. There are all kinds of patterns of emissions that we aren't designed to see. These, also, show up in false color images where the spectrum has been shifted by computer.
Lastly, if you are asking why they are so beautiful, that comes from inside of us. The patterns are what they are. They exist for physical reasons based on explosions and expanding gasses. I, too, think that these pictures are wonderful and amazing, but that sense comes from our appreciation for the patterns and the colors and not because someone painted them to be pretty.
2006-07-01 12:15:46 · answer #2 · answered by tbolling2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The colour of substances depends on they light frquencies (whether visible to the human eye or not) they absorb and the ones they reflect. those frequencies are specific to each chemical substance. So all "regular" matter will appear to have colour, when it reflects light.
As for pictures of celectial bodies they are taken primarily to learn as much about them as we can. We use different light filters to see how the object appears in different wavelengths (or in other words, light emmited by different substances that make up the object). Sometimes images appear in "true colour", or very much how we would see them from up close with the naked eye. In other cases colour is used to help us visualize things we wouldn't ordinarily be able to see or highlight details. You can see a detailed explanation with pictures here:
http://hubblesite.org/sci.d.tech/behind_the_pictures/meaning_of_color/index.shtml
2006-07-01 12:32:18 · answer #3 · answered by evil_tiger_lily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different gasses reflect differently in the light spectrum. That is why differing gasses have different colors. Also dust effects the light reflection and visibility in nebulas and galaxys. These differing colors are how we know what gasses are present in certain clouds and nebulas.
2006-07-01 12:24:31 · answer #4 · answered by Oblivia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, They may have color, but, we not sure what color. The pictures we see are Computer enhanced with color to give detail.
I tried to find you the link on NASA that explains this but there just so much here, Truly amazing if you love space. This link; http://search.nasa.gov/search/search?access=p&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&site=nasa_collection&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=nasa_production&proxystylesheet=nasa_production&actionType=searchIndex&q=How+pictures+are+computer+enhanced&ip=64.215.168.123&numgm=5&start=10
You will see "Computer Enhanced" So!!!!! What many people now know, many of the pictures we see are Computer enhanced for color and detail. BUT, as some have explained there is color, but, most pictures we may see not reveal the True color. Hope this helps you.
2006-07-01 12:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We see in the visible light spectrum which consist of 7 main colors. Light a different wave lenghts appear as different colors to us.
2006-07-01 21:36:16 · answer #6 · answered by kel m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Colors are there for eyes that would observe them. No different than the colors on wild animals, bugs or plants that would signify something important to that of the observer.
2006-07-01 12:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by Abstract 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because these incredible balls of fusion(stars) emit radiation of many types including visible light, which in turn strikes your eyes,imprinting an image in your mind...tom science
2006-07-01 12:11:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I beileive everthing has an aura.........an extention of the spirit ouside of the body. These colors are expressions/feelings of the soul.
2006-07-01 12:43:15 · answer #9 · answered by loreerocks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the light they have or by the light they.....................reflect
2006-07-01 12:01:49 · answer #10 · answered by karlai a 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋