A fits file extension is associated with the Flexible Image Transport System a standard format for astronomy images. Ae fits file stores picture image.
Software that open fits file
FITS file extension - Flexible Image Transport System
What is fits file? How to open fits files?
File type specification:
The fits file extension is used for Flexible Image Transport System format, a most commonly used standard format for images used in astronomy. Historically, magnetic tape was the original storage medium for FITS formats.
FITS is a digital file format used to store, transmit, and manipulate scientific and other images, specially in Astronomy. A major feature of the FITS format is that image metadata is stored in a human-readable ASCII header, so that an interested user can examine the headers to investigate a file of unknown provenance.
FITS is also often used to store non-image data, such as spectra, photon lists, data cubes, or even structured data such as multi-table databases. A FITS file may contain several extensions, and each of these may contain a data object. For example, it is possible to store x-ray and infrared exposures in the same file.
This file format also sometimes uses FTS file extension or FIT file extension.
Updated: January 3, 2025
The default software associated to open fits file:
Company or developer:
Pierre-Emmanuel Gougelet
A free (for non-commercial purposes) powerful cross-platform media browser, viewer and converter. Compatible with more than 500 formats and also supports export to 70 different file formats. It works on Windows, Linux and macOS (OS X).
List of software applications associated to the .fits file extension
Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open fits file, edit fits file, convert fits file, view fits file, play fits file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).
Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting fits files.
Software that open fits file - Flexible Image Transport System
Programs supporting the exension fits on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open fits file action.