Simulated True Color

This MODIS-based technique produces ‘Natural’ or ‘True’ color satellite imagery. Simulated true color imagery is preferred by analysts over panchromatic visible because it is visually intuitive, less ambiguous, and has higher information content (feature recognition). It is being produced by synthesizing the missing green band. The example below depicts a wildfire scene in Southern California (October 2007). A MODIS image can be seen to the left, a simulated true color image (approximate image) is in the center, and a difference image to the right. Most of the differences are below 10%, only areas under heavy smoke cover show differences up to 25%.