Initially designed for analyzing satellite imagery of Mars, the decorrelation stretch algorithm increases color contrast and has been repurposed by archaeologists to enhance visibility of nearly invisible details in ancient murals and rock art worldwide. Jon Harman, combining his background in medical imaging and passion for rock art, developed a plug-in using this method for ImageJ software, enabling researchers to extract features from degraded images that would otherwise remain unnoticed.
The technique, conceived at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and applied to ASTER satellite data, is particularly effective for uncovering subtle details in faded artworks, including those within Cambodia's Angkor Wat temple complex. While the method enhances visual contrast, its effectiveness depends on digital image quality and requires user expertise to interpret results appropriately.
Source & further reading
NASA Technique for Manipulating Satellite Photos Now Reveals Ancient Images ↗Source published 2026-09-08. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.