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Introduction

FITSIO is a machine-independent Fortran-77 subroutine interface for reading and writing data files in the FITS format (Flexible Image Transport System, Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement, 44, 363). This package was written to provide a powerful yet simple interface for accessing FITS files which will run on most commonly used computers and workstations. This version of FITSIO explicitly supports the ASCII table (TABLE), the Binary table (BINTABLE), and IMAGE extensions. The FITSIO subroutines insulate the user from having to deal with the complicated formatting details in the FITS file, however, it is assumed that users have a general knowledge about the structure and usage of FITS files.

The FITSIO package was originally developed for use by the HEASARC (High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to convert various existing and newly acquired astronomical data sets into FITS format. The latest version of the FITSIO source code, documentation, and example programs can be obtained from the HEASARC via anonymous ftp by typing the following command at the computer operating system prompt:

ftp legacy.gsfc.nasa.gov    (or, ftp 128.183.8.233)

Then type the following responses (comments appear in brackets and should not be typed on the command line):

ftp> user anonymous
        Password:  [type your own username as the password]
        ftp> cd software/fitsio  [to move to the fitsio subdirectory]
        ftp> ls                [to see a list of available files]
        ftp> get README        [contains latest information about FITSIO]
        ftp> get fitsio.doc    [complete user documentation for FITSIO]
        ftp> get fitsio.tex    [Latex version of the documentation]
        ftp> get ...           [continue getting any other desired files]
        ftp> quit              [close the ftp connection and exit]

Any questions, bug reports, or suggested enhancements related to the FITSIO package should be sent to the author:

Dr. William Pence                 Telephone:  (301) 286-4599
        HEASARC                           (DECnet) LHEAVX::PENCE or 15407::PENCE
        Code 668                          (Internet) pence@tetra.gsfc.nasa.gov
        NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
        Greenbelt, MD 20771
        USA

Any questions about the definition of the FITS format or other general FITS issues should be directed to the NASA Office of Standards and Technology:

NASA, Science Office of Standards and Technology
	Code 633.2,
	Goddard Space Flight Center
	Greenbelt MD 20771
	USA
	Internet: nost@nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov
	DECNET: NCF::NOST
	(301) 286-3575

asterix@space.starlink
Wed Feb 16 08:18:45 GMT 1994