analysisfits

AnalysisFITS is a Python library designed for the analysis and manipulation of astronomical data stored in the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) format. Developed as an extension of the popular Astropy project, AnalysisFITS provides tools to streamline common tasks such as header inspection, image slicing, and data extraction, while ensuring compatibility with FITS standards.

The library is particularly useful for researchers and developers working with large or complex FITS files, which are widely used in astronomy for storing observational data like images, spectra, and catalogs. AnalysisFITS builds upon Astropy’s core functionality, offering additional features such as efficient memory handling for large datasets and support for multi-extension FITS files (e.g., those containing multiple images or tables in a single file).

Key features of AnalysisFITS include:

- **Header manipulation**: Easy access and modification of FITS headers, which contain metadata like observation details, instrument settings, and coordinate systems.

- **Image slicing**: Extraction of sub-regions from large FITS images without loading the entire dataset into memory.

- **Data alignment and alignment**: Tools for aligning or realigning data from different observations or instruments.

- **Compatibility**: Seamless integration with Astropy’s broader ecosystem, including support for World Coordinate System (WCS) transformations and coordinate frames.

The library is open-source and maintained by the astronomical community, with contributions from researchers and developers. It is distributed under the MIT License, making it accessible for both academic and commercial use. AnalysisFITS is particularly valuable for users who require efficient, high-level operations on FITS data without sacrificing flexibility or performance.

For installation, users can leverage Python’s package manager, pip, or integrate it directly into existing Astropy-based workflows. Documentation and examples are available through the project’s official repository, which also includes guidance on troubleshooting common issues.