EDP Sciences Journals List
Advanced Search
Subscriber Authentication Point
Home All issues Volume 376/ 1 Article

Free access article

Issue A&A
Volume 376, Number 1, September II 2001
Page(s) 359 - 380
Section Instruments, observational techniques and data processing
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20010923



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 III7

1  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

What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.
  • If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
  • You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
  • You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.