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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Pluto in Colorized Infrared

Pluto in Colorized Infrared
Pluto in Colorized Infrared Colorized infrared layer from "The Rich Color Variations of Pluto" (PIA19952). NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Southwest Research Institute / ZLDoyle

In the image PIA19952 (http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19952), the red luminance channel corresponds to the infrared data acquired by the Ralph/MVIC instrument as it flew past Pluto. The green and blue luminance channels have been removed. The color data data from the original image was layered over the remaining luminance channel and further enhanced to bring out greater variation across the surface of Pluto. Because the luminance data was captured through an infrared filter, the areas appearing closest to white correspond with areas most reflective to infrared wavelengths. Full 4k resolution image available here: http://i.imgur.com/B2WUkZk.jpg