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Max,
Certain cameras (acquisition programs) only save their files in a FITS format (Flexible Image Transport System)
This format amongst other things allows the embedded storage of information relevant to astro imagers and other fields of science in whats called the FITS Header.
- eg what filters have been used, the celestial coordinate system being used and location, what calibration processes have been used and applied, subject name and details, temperature of the camera, type of camera, focal length of the telescope and many other standard and custom pieces of information (meta data), site, terrestrial location etc etc
Many imaging acquisition packages insert their own data and allow the user to add custom data at the time of taking the image.
Some image processing packages can read FITS files others cant or dont do it properly - FITS Liberator allows the conversion of the FITS file to a format that they can read, previously it was a Photoshop PlugIn - now its been released as a standalone converter.
Since Photoshop5 was released on Mac, FITS files couldn't be opened at all ! - so its been a long awaited release.
If you dont already need it then it probably doesn't matter to you, but if you get involved in astro imaging with a dedicated camera it will probably eventually become a requirement.
Rally
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