Convert FITS to FLIF

The FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) file extension is widely utilized in the field of astronomy for storing, transmitting, and manipulating scientific data and images. Originating in the late 1970s, FITS was developed by NASA and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to standardize the format for astronomical data. Its primary use is to archive astronomical images, spectral data, and other multidimensional data arrays, enabling efficient data interchange among scientists and astronomers. FITS files are known for their ability to store metadata and large datasets, making them essential for detailed scientific analysis and long-term preservation in research environments.

The Free Lossless Image Format (FLIF) is a lossless image compression format designed to outperform other formats like PNG, lossless WebP, and JPEG 2000 in terms of compression ratio. Introduced in 2015, FLIF uses MANIAC (Meta-Adaptive Near-zero Integer Arithmetic Coding) for efficient compression, making it suitable for various image types without quality loss. Despite its advantages, FLIF development ceased as it was superseded by JPEG XL.