Why doesn’t NASA release photos of James Webb without first editing them?

Since ancient times, as multiple evidence indicates, humanity has always experienced a feeling of admiration when directing its attention to the heavens, contemplating each luminous point and pondering the cosmic vastness that surrounds us.

We have always sought to fill the gaps in our knowledge about space, and technological advances have made it possible to further deepen human curiosity with space investigations and explorations.

One of NASA’s greatest achievements, in partnership with other agencies, was the creation and launch of the James Webb Space Telescopewhich celebrated its first anniversary of the first image capture last July.

Although we are contemplated with the wonders of space through the images recorded by the telescope, what many do not know is that this spectacular view is not actually released directly after capture, but goes through a complex image editing process.

Does NASA lie and make edits to James Webb’s images?

Photo: Catarina Nebula captured by James Webb/NASA/CSA/ESA/STScl/Reproduction

Although many conspiracy theorists firmly believe that the images are fraudulent due to edits, the truth is distinct and transcends the mere photograph captured by traditional cameras.

The most technologically advanced telescope captures light waves and creates an image in dark gray tones. This makes the photos difficult to interpret, hiding some details and requiring experts in the field.

Why and how are space images edited?

All data sent by the telescope is downloaded in FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) format, something common in the field of astronomy.

Using editors such as PixInsight, FITS Liberator and even Photoshop, professionals can reduce noise, balance tones, enlarge pixels and reveal details invisible to the naked eye, in addition to adding colors to photos. But this in no way implies that the images are doctored.

Experts reveal that they count on the assistance of scientists and astronomers, ensuring that the entire process results in the maximum preservation of reality, using data collection to compile images and assist in the perception of the various materials that make up the space.

What is the reason for including the colors?

Colors are added in the editing process due to the light filters that James Webb has. The telescope only allows certain wave frequencies to pass through, so there is no overexposure.

Each light in the spectrum is assigned by the device itself to a previously determined color, which identifies a certain type of element, based on a choice based on pure science and not arbitrarily. Furthermore, the filters mainly distinguish green, red and blue, which are the primary colors of space.

All of this occurs so that we can clearly see the beauty of Universesince the human eye has its own filters and does not capture all light waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, making this information conversion highly necessary.