The high resolution images used to make this image were processed to remove distortion introduced by the special electronic cameras on board the Landers. The sky has also been smoothed so as to appear more natural. This synthetic high resolution color image was created by combining standard low resolution Viking Lander color images with standard high resolution Viking Lander black and white images, using image processing techniques. In simple terms, the colors are separated from the color image. Using the computer, those colors are then painted onto high resolution images covering the same area. The image has had its colors balanced to approximate what would be seen if the Martian surface materials were on Earth. Ordinarily images are redder, since the Martian atmosphere carries extremely fine-grained red dust in suspension. Credit: Edward A. Guinness, Washington University in St. Louis.