Flexible Image Transport System
General Information
| Title | FITS File Extension |
| Extension | .fits |
| Full Form | Flexible Image Transport System |
| File Type | Data File |
| Developer | International Astronomical Union |
| MIME Type | image/fits |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store scientific data |
| Additional Functions | Data transport, analysis |
| Features | Multi-dimensional arrays, Data preservation |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High precision |
| Supports Layers | Metadata, data |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Astronomy | Yes |
| Medical Imaging | Yes |
| Geophysics | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Minimal |
| Best Practices | Verify data, checksum |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1981 |
| Latest Version | FITS 4.0 (2020) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .fit, .fts |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 FITS Liberator |
Free | Windows, Mac |
| SAOImage DS9 |
Free | Windows, Mac, Unix |
| CCDSoft |
Commercial | Windows |