openFITS - Create Images from Raw Data

With a basic understanding of astronomy data and image processing software, you can create your own astronomy images from FITS files. "FITS," which stands for Flexible Image Transport System, is a digital file format used mainly by astronomers. In this section you can download FITS files for some of our favorite Chandra images and learn how to compose your own versions of these high-energy atronomy images. Please tell us what you think and send an email.

Fits Files

Notes: Any of the 3 color data sets can also be made into a broadband image following the broadband tutorial. Right click the files to download.

3C58

1. 3C58 (3 color)
   1. 3C58 0.5-1.0 keV Fits File [51.7 MB]
   2. 3C58 1.0-1.5 keV Fits File [51.7 MB]
   3. 3C58 1.5-10 keV Fits File [51.7 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/P.Slane et al.
   Observation Dates: 09/2000-04/2003 with 4 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 728, 3832, 4383, 4382
   Image Release: 3C58 (14 Dec 04)



SN 1006

2. SN 1006 (3 color)
   1. SN 1006 0.5-0.91 keV Fits File [33.6 MB]
   2. SN 1006 0.91-1.34 keV Fits File [33.6 MB]
   3. SN 1006 1.34-3.0 keV Fits File [33.6 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/Rutgers/J.Hughes et al.
   Observation Dates: 8-11 Apr 2003 with 11 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 3838, 4385-4394
   Image Release: SN 1006 (15 Dec 05)



M87

3. M87 (broadband)
   1. M87 broad band keV Fits File [9.6 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/CfA/W. Forman et al.
   Observation Dates: 07/2002-11/2005 with 9 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 2707, 3717, 5826-28, 6186, 7210-12
   Image Release: M87 (05 Aug 08)



Centaurus A

4. Centaurus A (3 Color)
   1. Cen A 0.5-1.0 keV Fits File [4.2 MB]
   2. Cen A 1.0-1.5 keV Fits File [4.2 MB]
   3. Cen A 1.5-2.0 keV Fits File [4.2 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al.
   Observation Dates: 03/22/2007-05/30/2007 with 6 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 7797-7800, 8489-90
   Image Release: Centaurus A (09 Jan 08)



Tarantula Nebula

5. Tarantula Nebula - 30 Doradus (3 Color)
   1. 30 Dor 0.5-0.7 keV Fits File [4.2 MB]
   2. 30 Dor 0.7-1.1 keV Fits File [4.2 MB]
   3. 30 Dor 1.1-2.0 keV Fits File [2.2 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/Penn State/L.Townsley, et al.
   Observation Dates: 09/21/1999-01/30/2006 with 5 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 22, 5906, 7263, 7264, 625207
   Image Release: Tarantula Nebula (30 Doradus) (11 Dec 08)



PSR B1509-58

6. PSR B1509-58 (3 Color)
   1. PSR B1509-58 0.5-1.7 keV Fits File [3 MB]
   2. PSR B1509-58 1.7-3.0 keV Fits File [3 MB]
   3. PSR B1509-58 3.0-8.0 keV Fits File [3 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/P.Slane, et al.
   Observation Dates: 12/28/2004-10/18/2005 with 4 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 5534, 5535, 6116, 6117
   Image Release: PSR B1509-58 (3 Apr 09)



Carina Nebula

7. Carina Nebula (3 Color)
   1. Carina 0.5-0.7 keV Fits File [8.5 MB]
   2. Carina 0.7-0.86 keV Fits File [8.5 MB]
   3. Carina 0.86-0.96 keV Fits File [8.5 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/PSU/L.Townsley et al.
   Observation Dates: 09/21/2004-10/15/2008 with 38 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 4495, 6402, 6578, 9481-9499, 9508, 9816-9817, 9830-9831, 9849, 9856-9857, 9859-9861, 9889-9891, 9894, 10784
   Image Release: Carina Nebula (24 May 11)



M83

8. M83 (3 Color)
   1. M83 0.35-1.0 keV Fits File [37.8 MB]
   2. M83 1.0-2.0 keV Fits File [37.8 MB]
   3. M83 2.0-8.0 keV Fits File [37.8 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/STScI/K.Long et al.
   Observation Dates: 04/29/2000-12/28/2011 with 12 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 793, 2064, 12420, 12992-12996, 13202, 13241, 13248, 14332, 14342
   Image Release: SN 1957D in M83 (30 Jul 12)



N132D

9. N132D (3 Color or Broadband)
   1. N132D 0.5-1.5 keV Fits File [2.1 MB]
   2. N132D 1.5-3.0 keV Fits File [2.1 MB]
   3. N132D 4.0-6.0 keV Fits File [2.1 MB]
   4. Raw merged data file (gz) [153 MB]
   
   Credit: NASA/CXC/NCSU/K.J.Borkowski et al.
   Observation Dates: 01/09/2006-01/15/2006 with 3 pointings
   Obs. IDs: 5532, 7259, 7266
   Image Release: N132D (12 Mar 08)



M82

10. M82 (up to 7 colors!)
    1. M82 0.35-0.5 keV Fits File [38 MB]
    2. M82 0.5-0.7 keV Fits File [38 MB]
    3. M82 0.7-1.1 keV Fits File [38 MB]
    4. M82 1.1-1.6 keV Fits File [38 MB]
    5. M82 1.6-2.2 keV Fits File [38 MB]
    6. M82 2.2-2.8 keV Fits File [38 MB]
    7. M82 2.8-6.0 keV Fits File [38 MB]
    
    Credit:NASA/CXC/Wesleyan/R.Kilgard et al.
    Observation Dates: 7 pointings from Sep 20, 1999 to Jul 28, 2010
    Obs. IDs: 361, 10542-10545, 10925, 11800
    Image Release: M82: Chandra Images Torrent of Star Formation (13 Jan 2011)



Sgr A*

11. Sagittarius A* (3 color)
    1. SGRA 0.2-3.3 keV Fits File [13 MB]
    2. SGRA 3.3-4.7 keV Fits File [13 MB]
    3. SGRA 4.7-8.0 keV Fits File [13 MB]
    
    Credit: NASA/CXC/MIT/F.K. Baganoff et al.
    Observation Dates: 43 pointings from September 21, 1999 to May 18, 2009
    Obs. IDs: 242, 1561, 2943, 2951-2954, 3392, 3393, 3549, 3663, 3665, 4683, 4684, 5360, 5950, 5951-5954, 6113, 6363, 6639, 6640-6646, 7554-7559, 9169-9174, 10556
    Image Release: Sagittarius A*: Peering Into The Heart of Darkness (5 Jan 2010)



Cas A

12. Cas A (3 color)
    1. Cas A 0.5-1.5 keV Fits File [4.0 MB]
    2. Cas A 1.5-3.0 keV Fits File [4.0 MB]
    3. Cas A 4.0-6.0 keV Fits File [4.0 MB]
    4. Raw data file (zip) [464 MB]
    
    Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/D.Patnaude et al
    Observation Dates: 01/30/2000-12/08/2007 with 5 pointings
    Obs. IDs: 114, 1952, 5196, 9117, 9773
    Image Release: Cas A (06 Jan 09)



Crab Nebula

13. Crab Nebula (Broadband)
    1. Crab 0.3-10 keV Fits File [352 KB]
    2. Raw data file (zip) [535 MB]
    
    Credit: NASA/CXC/SAO/F. Seward
    Observation Dates: 03/14/2001 and 01/27/2004
    Obs. IDs: 1997, 4607
    Image Release: Crab Nebula (23 Nov 09)



G292.0+1.8

14. G292.0+1.8 (3 or 4 color)
    1. G292 0.58-0.71 plus 0.88-0.95 keV Fits File [3.8 MB]
    2. G292 0.98-1.1 keV Fits File [3.8 MB]
    3. G292 1.28-1.43 keV Fits File [3.8 MB]
    4. G292 1.81-2.05 plus 2.4-2.62 keV Fits File [3.8 MB]
    5. Raw data file (zip) [572 MB]
    
    Note: This image could be done as a 4-color (red, orange, green, blue) image, but the 3-color tutorial still applies.
    Credit: NASA/CXC/Penn State/S. Park et al
    Observation Dates: 6 pointings from Sep 13 - Oct 20, 2006
    Obs. IDs: 6677-6680, 8221, 8447
    Image Release: G292 (23 Oct 07)



E0102

15. E0102 (3 color)
    1. E0102 0.2-0.75 keV Fits File [1.0 MB]
    2. E0102 0.8-1.1 keV Fits File [1.0 MB]
    3. E0102 1.1-2 keV Fits File [1.0 MB]
    4. Raw data file (zip) [95 MB]
    
    Credit: NASA/CXC/MIT/D. Dewey et al & NASA/CXC/SAO/J. DePasquale
    Observation Dates: 25 pointings between 12/10/2000 and 02/09/2008
    Obs. IDs: 1308, 1311, 1530-1531, 2843-2844, 2850-2851, 3519-3520, 3544-3545, 5123-5124, 5130-5131, 6042-6043, 6074-6075, 6758-6759, 6765, 8365, 9694
    Image Release: E0102 (23 Jul 09)



Kepler's SNR

16. Kepler's Supernova Remnant (3 color)
    1. Kepler 0.3-0.72 keV Fits File [812 KB]
    2. Kepler 0.72-0.9 keV Fits File [812 KB]
    3. Kepler 1.7-2.1 keV Fits File [812 KB]
    4. Raw data file (zip) [1.1 GB]
    
    Credit: NASA/CXC/NCSU/S. Reynolds et al.
    Observation Dates: 6 pointings between April-August 2006
    Obs. IDs: 6714-6718, 7366
    Image Release: Kepler's Supernova Remnant (09 Jan 07)



Tycho's SNR

17. Tycho's Supernova Remnant (3 color)
    1. Tycho 0.95-1.26 keV Fits File [4.0 MB]
    2. Tycho 1.63-2.26 keV Fits File [4.0 MB]
    3. Tycho 4.1-6.1 keV Fits File [4.0 MB]
    4. Raw data file (zip) [338 MB]
    
    Credit: NASA/CXC/Rutgers/J.Warren & J.Hughes et al.
    Observation Dates: April 29, 2003
    Obs. IDs: 3837
    Image Release: Tycho's Supernova Remnant (18 Feb 09)