What problem does it solve?
Astropy provides a comprehensive Python toolkit for astronomy data analysis, enabling researchers to perform unit handling, coordinate transformations, FITS I/O, time scales, WCS operations, and cosmology calculations in a single, well-documented library.
Core Features & Use Cases
- Units, quantities, and conversions: attach units to data and perform robust conversions.
- Coordinate systems & transforms: convert between ICRS, equatorial, galactic, and AltAz frames for object localization and catalog matching.
- FITS I/O & tables: read, write, and manipulate FITS files and tabular data from astronomical catalogs.
- Cosmology & time: compute distances, ages, lookback times, and manage precise time scales for observations.
- Use Case: Transform coordinates of a source and compute luminosity distance using Planck18 cosmology.
Quick Start
Install astropy and begin by importing units, coordinates, and FITS handling to load and process astronomical data.