2007-06-28 08:23:54 · 6 answers · asked by Meridian Merrand 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, although the amount of color and clarity (resolution) are determined by the size and quality of the lenses and/or mirrors you are using. You also have to take into account any chromatic aberrations caused by your optics, as well as the diffusing effects of both Earth's atmosphere, and the distance of the planet in question.
That's why orbiting telescopes, like the Hubble, get so much better color resolution than Earth-based scopes; it's up out of the atmosphere, and so there's no atmospheric distortion or desaturation effects to worry about. The Hubble's images are also enhanced with computers after they are received, and that can further add to the color saturation you see on the images.
2007-06-28 08:34:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. What you see through a telescope are the real colors... the reality of color is a whole different discussion but what you see is what you get, mostly. The colors may appear more washed out than they would if you were close up but they are more or less correct. The better the sky conditions and the better the telescope's optics, the more accurate the image through the eyepiece will be. Many images you see from satellites, probes, etc., are color enhanced (to make it look prettier) or use completely false colors (to highlight certain elemental aspects of the planet). The telescope doesn't lie... but the atmosphere distorts and your brain can deceive. After all, Lowell insisted he saw artificially constructed waterways on Mars. :)
2007-06-28 08:33:45 · answer #2 · answered by Daniel P 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. See the source. It is my web page of pictures I took though a telescope of the planets. The colors are pretty close to what I see. Except Mars, which is somewhat enhanced, except for one about half way down the Mars page that I processed to look natural. In case you have trouble finding that one, see it all alone in the second source.
2007-06-28 08:56:08 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As has already been stated, yes, a Telescope will show you the colours of the planets. (except Pluto, but that's another story)
But in most cases you only see the colour of their cloud layers, not their surface.
Of course in the case of the gas giants, there is no real surface.
2007-06-28 11:50:15 · answer #4 · answered by Adolph K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. A good enough telescope let's you see the colored bands of Jupiter and Saturn, as well as their moons.
2007-06-28 09:47:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course.
2007-06-28 08:29:49 · answer #6 · answered by ZikZak 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋