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Preface
Contents
A User's Guide for the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS)
April 14, 1997
Preface
Contents
List of Tables
The Origin and Purpose of FITS
The Need for FITS
What FITS Is
The Philosophy of FITS
History
The First Agreement
Random Groups
Generalized Extensions
ASCII Tables
Floating Point
Physical Blocking
Image Extension
Binary Tables
How FITS Evolves
FITS Fundamentals
Basic FITS
Primary Header
Required Keywords
Reserved Keywords
Some Hints on Keyword Usage
Units
Primary Data Array
Scaled Integers
Undefined Integers
IEEE Floating Point Data
Random Groups
Header
Required Keywords
Random Parameter Reserved Keywords
Data Records
Extensions
Required Keywords for an Extension Header
Reserved Keywords for Extension Headers
Creating New Extensions
ASCII Table Extension
Required Keywords for ASCII Table Extension
Reserved Keywords for ASCII Table Extension
Data Records in an ASCII Table Extension
The Image Extension
Header
Data Records
Binary Tables
Required Keywords for Binary Table Extension Headers
Reserved Keywords for Binary Table Extension Header
Binary Table Extension Data Records
Reading FITS Format
FITS Files and Physical Media
World Coordinate Systems
Indexes and Physical Coordinates
Proposed Conventions
Improved Axis Descriptions
Sky Images
Pixel Regularization
Transforming to Projected Sky Coordinate
From Pixel to Physical Values
Deprojection
Conversion to Standard Celestial Coordinates
Coordinate Keywords
Current Status
Advanced FITS
Registered Extension Type Names
Conventions for Binary Tables
Variable Length Arrays
Arrays of Strings
Multidimensional Arrays in Binary Tables
TDIM
Keyword
Green Bank Convention
Some Applications of Binary Tables
Replacing Random Groups
Multiple Arrays in One HDU
Hierarchical Grouping Proposal
STScI Inheritance Convention
Checksum Proposal
Other Proposed Conventions
HEASARC
Keywords and column names
Proposed
CREATOR
Keyword
Proposed
TSORTKEY
Convention
Maximum and Mininum Values in Table Columns
World Coordinates in Tables
Compression
Other Reserved Type Names
Developing New Conventions
Keyword Domains
Polarization
Spectra
High Energy Astrophysics Applications
Resources
The FITS Support Office
On-line Information
Documents
Software and Test Files
Contact Information
NRAO FITS Resources
HEASARC
Some Additional Software Resources
Other Network Resources
Examples of FITS Headers
Example 1: VLA Image Header
Discussion of Example 1 (VLA Image Header)
Example 2: M87 and Jet (KPNO)
Discussion of Example 2 (M87 and Jet)
Example 3: ASCII Table
Discussion of Example 3 (A Galaxy Catalog in an ASCII Table)
Example 4: Binary Table Containing Spectra
Discussion of Example 4 (A Binary Table Containing Spectra)
Example 5: ADC FITS Table Header for AGK3 Catalog
Discussion of Example ADC FITS Table Header for AGK3 Catalog
Example 6: DIRBE FITS Headers
Discussion of Example 6: DIRBE FITS Headers
Example 7: ASCA FITS Header
Discussion of Example 7: ASCA FITS Header
IEEE Formats
References
About this document ...
William Pence 2004-01-07
Keyword