How to open .FTS files on Android
To open .FTS files on Android, android typically does not include built-in FITS viewing; transfer the .FTS file to a desktop computer and open it with a FITS-capable viewer (for example, one of the viewers listed by NASA).
Step-by-step instructions
- Android typically does not include built-in FITS viewing; transfer the .FTS file to a desktop computer and open it with a FITS-capable viewer (for example, one of the viewers listed by NASA).
Common issues
The .FTS file won’t open or shows as an unknown format
Many default photo viewers do not support FITS/FTS, so the OS may not know which app to use.
- Open the file in a FITS-capable viewer (NASA’s FITS viewer page lists common FITS software, e.g., SAOImage DS9).
- If it still fails, confirm the file is actually a FITS file (FTS is commonly used for FITS, but the extension alone is not a guarantee).
The image looks blank, very dark, or has strange contrast
FITS pixel data often requires scientific scaling/stretching; it may not display well with default settings.
- In your FITS viewer, adjust display scaling/stretch (e.g., different autoscale options) to reveal faint detail.
- Check the header metadata and data type handling; some files contain high dynamic range or non-visual data arrays.
The file opens but metadata/headers look confusing
FITS headers use standardized keyword/value cards and can be extensive and technical.
- Use your FITS tool’s header viewer to inspect keywords and comments; this is the canonical metadata for the dataset.
- Refer to the FITS standard documentation for header structure and keyword conventions.
A program reports the FITS file is corrupted or non-compliant
Incomplete downloads, transfer issues, or non-standard writers can produce files that strict readers reject.
- Re-download or re-copy the file using a reliable method and verify it was fully transferred.
- Try opening with another FITS-capable tool/library (many software stacks use CFITSIO, which is widely used for FITS reading/writing).
Still can’t open your .FTS file?
Recover a deleted or lost .FTS file
If the file was deleted by mistake or the drive was formatted, data recovery software may be able to get it back. Stop writing to that drive right away, because new data can overwrite what you want to recover.
Windows software that recovers deleted or lost files from PCs and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and memory cards, after deletion, formatting or a crash.
Wondershare RecoveritWindows and Mac software that recovers deleted or lost files from computers and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and SD cards.
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Security note
FITS/FTS files are data files (not executable), but they should still be treated as untrusted input: malformed files can trigger bugs in complex image/data parsers. Prefer opening unknown .FTS files with well-maintained FITS tools.