astropy

Transform celestial coordinates and read FITS tables in Python.

16|Updated Dec 28, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Hongyu-yu/matsci-ai-skills --skill astropy-hongyu-yu
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: astropy
Source: https://github.com/Hongyu-yu/matsci-ai-skills/tree/main/skills/astropy
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Hongyu-yu/matsci-ai-skills --skill astropy-hongyu-yu

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Astropy provides a unified toolkit to manipulate astronomical data in Python, handling coordinates, units, FITS files, time scales, and cosmology.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Coordinate transformations: Transform celestial coordinates between reference frames (ICRS, galactic, FK5, AltAz, etc.)
  • FITS I/O and tables: Read/write FITS images and catalogs, manipulate headers, and work with tables
  • Time, cosmology, and distances: Compute cosmological distances, lookback times, and manage multiple time scales, including WCS handling

Quick Start

Demonstrate a small Python workflow that converts sky coordinates with astropy.coordinates and reads a FITS table with astropy.io.fits.

Frequently Asked Questions about astropy

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I transform celestial coordinates between ICRS and galactic reference frames in Python?

Celestial coordinate transformations between reference frames like ICRS, galactic, FK5, and AltAz are handled through modular components that convert sky coordinates with well-defined interfaces for reproducible workflows.

What is the best way to read and manipulate FITS catalogs and headers?

Reading and manipulating FITS catalogs is supported through unified input/output modules that read/write FITS images, manipulate headers, and process tabular data for astronomical analysis.

How do I compute cosmological distances and lookback times for my dataset?

Cosmological distances and lookback times are computed using dedicated cosmology modules that apply standard models to calculate distance measures and temporal offsets across cosmic time scales.

Can I manage multiple time scales and WCS handling within a single Python workflow?

Time scale management and WCS handling are supported within a single Python workflow, enabling precise time conversions and world coordinate system transformations for astronomical data.

Does astropy work for reproducible workflows requiring modular components with comprehensive references?

Astropy is designed for reproducible workflows, offering modular components with well-defined interfaces and comprehensive references to ensure consistent astronomical data processing results.

Why do I need a unified toolkit for astronomical data instead of separate Python libraries?

A unified toolkit for astronomical data is needed because it integrates coordinates, units, FITS files, time scales, and cosmology into a single cohesive framework, preventing interface inconsistencies across separate libraries.