Observations that you take using the telescopes are returned to you as data files called FITS files. You can process a FITS file to make a nice image and carry out measurements, but you cannot open FITS using common photo editing software.
Thinking of a FITS file as a document may make more sense. It contains lots of other information as well as arrays of pixel data.
How do you open a FITS file to see your image? You need to use special software or applications designed to read FITS files. Luckily, we've created some for you to use for free!
Choose AstroLab or LTImage, depending on your needs:
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| No installation required | Installation required |
| Use on any operating system or device | Windows OS required |
| Requires access to the internet | Can run completely offline |
| Open files directly into your browser or from Go Observing | Open files directly in the software |
| Open unlimited images at once | Open up to 4 images at once |
| View and save images | View and save images |
| "Blink" between images | "Blink" between images |
| Apply false-colour schemes | Apply false-colour schemes |
| Cannot perform 3 colour imaging | Can perform 3 colour imaging |
| Measure size | Measure size and distance |
| Photometry (AstroLab Stellar Only) | Photometry |
