A&A 376, 359-380 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20010923

Definition of the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS)

R. J. Hanisch¹, A. Farris¹, E. W. Greisen², W. D. Pence³, B. M. Schlesinger⁴, P. J. Teuben⁵, R. W. Thompson⁶ and A. Warnock III<sup>7

1</sup>  Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
²  National Radio Astronomy Observatory
³  NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
⁴  Raytheon ITSS
⁵  University of Maryland
⁶  Computer Sciences Corporation
⁷  A/WWW Enterprises

(Received 29 May 2001 / Accepted 21 June 2001 )

Abstract
The Flexible Image Transport System -FITS -has been in use in the astronomical community for over two decades. A newly updated version of the standard has recently been approved by the International Astronomical Union FITS Working Group. This new version of the standard appears here in its entirety. As a preface we briefly describe the process by which the standard evolves and revisions are approved, and note two minor changes to NOST 100-2.0 which were adopted by the IAU FWG.

Key words: instrumentation: miscellaneous -- methods: miscellaneous -- techniques: miscellaneous -- astronomical databases: miscellaneous

Offprint request: R. J. Hanisch, hanisch@stsci.edu

© ESO 2001