Question

Why are space images false color?

Answer 1

Space images are in false colour because most imaging devices only record greyscale and many images are taken at non-visible wavelengths.

Explanation:

Astronomical objects are distant and only a small amount of their light reached us. Imaging systems like the Hubble actually have CCD (Charge Coupled Device) cameras which only record greyscale images.

To create an image several images are taken through different filters, each corresponding to a wavelength of light. These need to be coloured and superimposed to create the finished image.

Some of the images are taken at wavelengths which are invisible to the human eye. These need to be given a false colour in the visible range.