FIPS is a cross-platform FITS image viewer that uses OpenGL hardware acceleration to provide a responsive interface when examining astronomical images.
The application is designed around the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS), a format widely used for storing astronomical and other scientific image data. Instead of relying solely on CPU rendering, FIPS takes advantage of GPU hardware for common viewing operations.
FIPS supports all 2D FITS image formats, although floating-point formats are not supported when using OpenGL 2.1. There is also basic, limited support for FITS image extensions.
The interface provides the essential controls needed when inspecting FITS data, including zooming, panning and image level adjustment. OpenGL 2.1 and later is supported.
The project is also available for macOS and Windows, making it useful for researchers and astronomers who work across multiple platforms.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Displays astronomical images stored in FITS format.
- Uses GPU hardware acceleration through OpenGL.
- Supports OpenGL 2.1 and later.
- Provides responsive zooming and panning.
- Offers interactive image level adjustments.
- Supports all 2D FITS image formats, subject to floating-point limitations with OpenGL 2.1.
- Provides basic support for FITS image extensions.
Website: github.com/matwey/fips3
Support:
Developer: Matwey Kornilov
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0
FIPS is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Astronomical Data Analysis Tools | |
|---|---|
| Astropy | Collection of Python software packages for astronomy |
| CARTA | Cube Analysis and Rendering Tool for Astronomy |
| AstroImageJ | Powerful tool for astronomical image analysis and precise photometry |
| TOPCAT | Tool for OPerations on Catalogues And Tables |
| astroML | Python module for machine learning and data mining |
| DS9 | Astronomical imaging and data visualization application |
| Siril | Astronomical image (pre-)processing software |
| Skyfield | Pure-Python astronomy package |
| Sherpa | Modeling and fitting application for Python |
| IRAF | Image Reduction and Analysis Facility |
| PyRAF | Python-based IRAF command language |
| THELI | Tool for the automated reduction of astronomical images |
| ASTAP | Astrometric STAcking Program |
| ORSA | Framework for celestial mechanics investigations |
| CRUSH | Data reduction and imaging for select astronomical cameras |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Discovered a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.