More times than not, NASA does some “image processing” which they don’t always announce beforehand, especially when working with wavelengths other than visible. In this case an “illusory-color four-panel mosaic”. But aside from composites, color enhancement, false colorization, etc, I’ve never heard of a case where they’ve actually altered anything. Of course those claiming they’re covering up evidence of aliens on the moon and Mars disagree.
Well, it’s labled “Processing and copyright Francesco Antonucci” . The ABOUT APOD page states that “APOD is originated, written, coordinated, and edited since 1995 by Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell.”
Some of these APODs have been more “arty” than others, but their purpose is to educate and amuse the public, and I don’t think there is any sort of research quality standard they are subjected to. Maybe I’m just being picky, but I feel certain that the Jan 2015 APOD has some irregularities if considered as an objective representation, which as I say, I don’t believe is intended or required.