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HEASoft and XSPEC are now available as conda packages. See details ....

HEASARC Software

The following software is supported by the HEASARC. Most of this software is designed for professional researchers and advanced students for the analysis of scientific astronomical observations in FITS format. These software packages are to be downloaded to the users machine. Web-based tools are available in our tools page.
This page includes sections on:
  • HEASoft and its sub-packages
  • Other Software, which includes: HEASoft in Docker, SciServer, and other tools

HEASoft is a unified package of several High Energy tools including:
CFITSIO A library for reading and writing FITS files for C and Fortran programmers.
Ftools General FITS file utility programs and mission-specific data analysis tools.
Xselect Multipurpose tool for filtering event files and generating images, spectra, and light curves.
HEASoftpy A Python 3 interface to HEASoft
Xspec X-ray astronomical spectral data analysis.
Xronos X-ray astronomical timing data analysis.
Ximage X-ray astronomical imaging data analysis.
XSTAR Program for calculating physical conditions and emission spectra in photoionized gases.
FV Interactive editor and viewer for astronomical data files in FITS format.

These are additional tools or software suppored by the HEASARC
HEASoft in a Container Install and run HEASoft in a Docker container
HEASoft and XSPEC in conda Install HEASoft or XSPEC as conda packages
SciServer Run HEASoft (and CIAO, Fermitools, XMM-SAS, Spex etc) in an online platform without a need to install the software or download the data. Define your own collaboration groups, share code and results, etc.
PIMMS Estimate the count rates from fluxes or vice versa, or estimate the count rates in one instrument from those measured in another.
ASTRO-Update Latest Versions of Useful Multi-mission Software
Fits Data Formats, Standards and HEASARC Conventions for High-Energy Astrophysics Data

  • Swift SC CALDB updated (08 Jan 2026)
    The Swift SC has been updated to version 20260107 to update the clock correction file to v170 ...
  • Chandra CALDB 4.12.3 installed at the HEASARC (18 Dec 2025)
    The Chandra CalDB 4.12.3 is now installed in and available from the HEASARC CALDB. Chandra 4.12.3 was released by the CXC on December 16, 2025.
  • Fermitools 2.5.1 Released (18 Dec 2025)
    The latest version, 2.5.1, of the Fermi analysis software, Fermitools, was released on December 18, 2025
  • Swift SC CALDB updated (13 Nov 2025)
    The Swift SC has been updated to version 20251106 to update the clock correction file to v169 ...

    • ASCA | BeppoSAX | CGRO | Chandra | EUVE | EXOSAT | Fermi | HEAO-1 | INTEGRAL | NuSTAR | OSO-8 | ROSAT | RXTE | Suzaku | Swift | XMM-Newton

    Old tools:

    • Profit: GUI tool for visualizing and modeling high-resolution spectra.
    • Maki: Displays fields of view for various instruments on FITS images. Supports the Suzaku XIS & HXD, Chandra ACIS & HRC, XMM EPIC, and RXTE PCA detectors.
    • Hera (DEPRECATED): Run the HEASoft software suite on the Hera servers at the HEASARC, without having to install the software packages locally.