“Since this weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble telescope, I thought it would be worthwhile to explain the false-colour images taken by the Hubble’s cameras — why they’re in false colour, what the colours represent, and how it’s done.
False-colour astrophotography is not unique to Hubble; it’s used at observatories on the ground around the world, and by professional and amateur astronomers alike. I could do it myself, down the road. So here’s my best stab at explaining it. ...”
see link for his explanation...
http://www.mcwetboy.com/mcwetlog/2010/04/falsecolour_astrophotography_explained.php
In order of increasing temperature, we have: red, orange, yellow, white, and blue. This can actually be observed in the flame on your stove at home. Where the flame first comes out of the jets it is hottest (blue). As the flames stretches out into the air, it cools to red and orange. -etl
