Combining Spectral Bands in Satellite Imagery

Satellite imagery finds extensive applications across various industries. The technology that enables satellite-based maps to classify land cover types, detect changes, or evaluate crop health is known as remote sensing.

Remote sensors on satellites gather data about a wide range of Earth’s surface features, encompassing vegetation cover, structures, water bodies, atmospheric temperatures, ground elevations, and numerous other attributes.

1. Natural Color: Red, Green And Blue (RGB)

Computer screens utilize three different ranges to display an image, with each range employing a distinct primary colour. When these three images are merged, the outcome is a colour image where the colour of each pixel is determined by variations in the Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) ratios. A natural colour composite image showcases a blend of visible red, green, and blue bands with their corresponding red, green, and blue channels. This composite mimics our typical perception of the world; for instance, vegetation appears green, water ranges from blue to black, and exposed earth and impermeable surfaces appear in light shades of grey and brown.

Many individuals prefer true color composites as they closely resemble the colors our eyes naturally perceive, making it easier to discern details. However, natural color images may have lower contrast and appear somewhat indistinct due to the scattering of blue light in the atmosphere.