Astropy Astronomy Toolkit
Handles astronomy data: coordinates, units, FITS files, cosmology and WCS.
Install
npx skills add zLanqing/codex-claude-academic-skills --skill astropy -g -a claude-code -y- Repository
- zLanqing/codex-claude-academic-skills5.5k
- Category
- Data and ML
- Updated
- 6mo ago
- License
- BSD-3-Clause license
- Context cost
- Mediumabout 2,736 tokens
- Runs scripts
- No, instructions only
What it does
Comprehensive Python library for astronomy and astrophysics. This skill should be used when working with astronomical data including celestial coordinates, physical units, FITS files, cosmological calculations, time systems, tables, world coordinate systems (WCS), and astronomical data analysis. Use when tasks involve coordinate transformations, unit conversions, FITS file manipulation, cosmological distance calculations, time scale conversions, or astronomical data processing.
Astropy
Overview
Astropy is the core Python package for astronomy, providing essential functionality for astronomical research and data analysis. Use astropy for coordinate transformations, unit and quantity calculations, FITS file operations, cosmological calculations, precise time handling, tabular data manipulation, and astronomical image processing.
When to Use This Skill
Use astropy when tasks involve:
- Converting between celestial coordinate systems (ICRS, Galactic, FK5, AltAz, etc.)
- Working with physical units and quantities (converting Jy to mJy, parsecs to km, etc.)
- Reading, writing, or manipulating FITS files (images or tables)
- Cosmological calculations (luminosity distance, lookback time, Hubble parameter)
- Precise time handling with different time scales (UTC, TAI, TT, TDB) and formats (JD, MJD, ISO)
- Table operations (reading catalogs, cross-matching, filtering, joining)
- WCS transformations between pixel and world coordinates
- Astronomical constants and calculations
Quick Start
import astropy.units as u
from astropy.coordinates import SkyCoord
from astropy.time import Time
from astropy.io import fits
from astropy.table import Table
from astropy.cosmology import Planck18
# Units and quantities
distance = 100 * u.pc
distance_km = distance.to(u.km)
# Coordinates
coord = SkyCoord(ra=10.5*u.degree, dec=41.2*u.degree, frame='icrs')
coord_galactic = coord.galactic
# Time
t = Time('2023-01-15 12:30:00')
jd = t.jd # Julian Date
# FITS files
data = fits.getdata('image.fits')
header = fits.getheader('image.fits')
# Tables
table = Table.read('catalog.fits')
# Cosmology
d_L = Planck18.luminosity_distance(z=1.0)
Core Capabilities
1. Units and Quantities (astropy.units)
Handle physical quantities with units, perform unit conversions, and ensure dimensional consistency in calculations.
