I overheard a guy at the coffee shop say the Webb telescope images look fake...

He was telling his friend that all those swirls and colors can't be real space photos, that they're just computer graphics. I almost chimed in but didn't want to be that person. It got me thinking though, how many people actually believe what they see in astrophotography is real? I mean, I get it, some of the processing does make things look almost too perfect. Has anyone else had to explain to someone that those colors come from different gas elements and filters, not Photoshop magic?

2 comments

2 Comments

barbaraw1622d ago

I used to think the same thing until I learned about the gas filters.

terryb1122d ago

Three specific models I've seen that have those gas filters are the Mila and the Blue Pure 211+. @barbaraw16 once you realize those filters are just a layer of activated carbon pellets sandwiched between two sheets of mesh, it changes everything. The ones from the big box stores often skimp on the carbon weight, so they stop working after a few months. My buddy tested a few with a VOC meter and the difference was night and day between a cheap one and a proper gas filter. Now I just look at the carbon weight in grams before buying anything.