Working with FITS Format


FITS format, or the "Flexible Image Transport System", is a file format standardized and maintained by NASA that allows data to be transported between systems and interpreted according to exact specifications. A FITS format file consists of a data array (pixel data for an image) and a header containing metadata describing the pixel data and providing other documentation about the file. The FITS header and data follow a rigid structure defined in the standard. It is critical to note that FITS format is a file format, not an image format, as other types of data may be encoded in a FITS file.

Beyond opening, saving, and displaying FITS format images, Mira provides numerous tools for viewing and modifying the FITS header metadata. Note that Mira does not save all of the FITS header metadata to TIFF and other graphics format files.

FITS Format definition

Defines and describes the FITS format and Mira's implementation.

FITS Keywords

Defines the standard FITS keywords and additional keywords used by Mira.

Pixel Scale Sensitive FITS Keywords

Lists Keywords that are updated by commands that change the spatial scale of the image.

Editing the FITS Header

Describes the general procedure for editing or modifying the FITS header information.

FITS Header Editor

Displays the FITS header information and permits the information to be edited. The header is opened in an independent window, separate from the image window.

FITS Header Pane

Displays the FITS header information and permits the information to be edited. The header is opened in a docking pane owned by the image window.

FITS Image Orientation

Defines the coordinate orientation used by FITS format images.

List COMMENT Keywords

Describes how comments are stored in the FITS image header.

List HISTORY Keywords

Describes how the image processing history is stored in the FITS image header.

List Statistics Keywords

Displays the keywords and values resulting from Statistics Measurements.

List WCS Keywords

Displays the keywords used for describing a World Coordinate System attached to the image.

Modify Keywords

Changes keyword values in the FITS image header.

Add Metadata

Changes (adds, replaces, and renames) keyword metadata when the image is opened or is saved to a FITS format file. This command configures the metadata changes but the changes are actually committed based on global settings in the General Properties (Ctrl+R) dialog.

Create Image Keyword List

Creates a table of keyword values in a collection of images.

Search Keyword Values

Creates a table of keyword values meeting numerical criteria in a collection of images.

View FITS File Header

Shows the raw FITS file header in a Text Editor without opening the file for display or processing.

MIRAPROC Keyword

Encodes calibration information into the image header. Mira uses this to prevent repeating the specific steps of calibration.

Related Topics

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