抄録
In order to clarify problems on making color composite images of TM data, two step examinations are made on the one scene data of WRS 111-36 (Setouchi) received by NASDA EOC on May 8, 1984. The first step is making suitable B/W positive and negative transparencies (P-1 and N-2) of seven bands as working master images. The second step is to investigate effects of band combinations and color arrangements of color composites based on visual observation and to select combinations and arrangements suitable to visual interpretation.
In making suitable P-1 and N-2 (the first step), it is confirmed that the most important factor is selection of γ-correction curves (transfer functions) suitable to each band taking into account TM data histograms.
In the second step, 210 kinds of all possible color composites, which are products of 35 band combinations (1 block) and six color arrangements to each band combination to make color composites taking three out of seven bands and using three primary colors, are made at first. To investigate effects of band combinations and color arrangements and to select suitable combinations and arrangements, it is confirmed that the sea and land area should be examined separately. In the sea area, one block of color composites of each color arrangement is classified into 10 groups based on color appearance. The best combination of bands is (1, 2, 6), the second is (2, 3, 6), and the third is (1, 3, 6). The arrangement of colors (G, B, R), which is assigned to the band combination (i, j, k), is the best, when i is shorter, j is middle, and k is longer spec-tral band. In the land area, each block of color composites is roughly divided into two groups, depending on inclusion of the thermal band (band 6), but in some color arrangements the division is not so clearly, because band 4 shows superficial similarity to band 6. Each block is further divided into 11-14 kinds of smaller groups based on color appearance. Due to the fact that three are many kinds of objects in the land area, it is not so easy to decide the best color arrangement. However if required to select one, the recommended color arrangement will be (B, G, R).
