How were the colors of dinosaur feathers determined?

In recent years, scientists have made major breakthroughs in reconstructing dinosaur feather colors. This progress hinges on analyzing melanosomes—microscopic pigment-containing structures within cells—preserved in fossils. The shape and arrangement of these melanosomes determine color. By examining fossilized melanosomes under electron microscopes and comparing them with those of modern birds and mammals, researchers can infer the original colors of dinosaur feathers. For example, Sinosauropteryx is confirmed to have had reddish-brown and white banded tail feathers, while Microraptor exhibited an iridescent, rainbow-like sheen.