Definition
False color imagery is a type of satellite image that uses colors that do not correspond to the colors visible to the human eye. Instead, different wavelengths of light, such as infrared or ultraviolet, are assigned specific colors to create an enhanced image for analysis.
For example, a false color image of vegetation may use the near-infrared spectrum to show healthy vegetation as bright red, while dry or dead vegetation would appear blue or purple. This allows analysts to quickly identify areas of healthy or unhealthy vegetation, which can be useful for monitoring crops or assessing the impact of natural disasters like wildfires or drought.
Another use case for false color imagery is in the analysis of urban environments. By using specific spectral bands and color combinations, analysts can identify different types of land use, such as parks, buildings, or roads. This information can be used for urban planning, disaster response, or even tracking changes in urbanization over time.
Overall, false color imagery provides a powerful tool for analyzing the Earth's surface in ways that are not visible to the human eye. By assigning specific colors to different spectral bands, analysts can quickly identify patterns and trends that would be difficult to detect using traditional satellite imagery or ground-based surveys.
