What defines a true color composite image?

A true color composite image is defined by how it displays the colors that the human eye perceives in a natural scene. This is achieved by correctly arranging the red, green, and blue bands of satellite or aerial imagery to match the visible spectrum. Each of these bands is mapped to a respective "color gun" in the imaging process. When the bands are correctly aligned, the resulting image portrays colors similarly to how they would appear in real life, thus creating a true color representation.

This is an essential process in remote sensing, as it allows for visual interpretation of natural features, aiding in analysis and decision-making. Other options, such as using only the blue band, implementing infrared data, or combining multiple grayscale images, do not produce a representation that captures the full spectrum of visible colors, which is necessary for a true color composite.