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What color is the solar system?Estimates are made of the true visual colors of various planets and moons in the solar system. Account is taken of the components of perceived color, i.e., hue, saturation and lightness. Earth is a blue planet while most of the others, including Mars, are yellow and differ only in their lightness. Widely disseminated Voyager images of Jupiter have been computer-enhanced to highlight details. A reflectance spectrum established by the International Commission on Illumination provides reference lines which are measured and compared with reference colors which would be seen on earth in normal daylight. Uranus is actually a light aqua color due to its absorption of 6190 A light and reflectance of 5000 A blue green light.
Document ID
19850048892
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Young, A. T.
(San Diego State University San Diego, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Sky and Telescope
Volume: 69
ISSN: 0037-6604
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85A31043
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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