How do scientists produce incredible colored photos of space? The Hubble space telescope has been orbiting Earth since 1990, expanding are view of deep space. But contrary to what most believe, it only takes photos in black and white. To show us color photos of space, scientists use a technique that imitates how our eyes naturally perceive color (watch, runtime: 05:47).

It isn’t simply for aesthetic reasons: The process also allows them to map out how different gases interact in the universe to form galaxies and nebulae. Arguably Hubble’s most famous photo is called The Pillars of Creation, which captures huge towers of gas and dust, forming new star systems. Using such pictures for visual analysis allows scientists to see how stars and galaxies form over time, illuminating the invisible parts of our universe.