The Standards of Fundamental Astronomy (SOFA) software libraries are a collection of subroutines that implement official International Astronomical Union (IAU) algorithms for astronomical computations.
| Stable release | 2023-10-11
/ 2023-10-11 |
|---|---|
| Written in | C and Fortran |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Numerical library |
| License | SOFA Software License |
| Website | http://www.iausofa.org/ |
As of February 2009 they are available in both Fortran and C source code format.
Capabilities
editThe subroutines in the libraries cover the following areas:
- Calendars
- Time scales
- Earth's rotation and sidereal time
- Ephemerides (limited precision)
- Precession, nutation, polar motion
- Proper motion
- Star catalog conversions
- Astrometric transformations
- Galactic Coordinates
Licensing
editAs of the February 2009 release, SOFA licensing changed to allow use for any purpose, provided certain requirements are met.[1] Previously, commercial usage was specifically excluded and required written agreement of the SOFA board.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ SOFA Software License for Issue 2009-02-01, International Astronomical Union, 2008-09-30, retrieved 2009-09-09.
- ^ SOFA Software License for Issue 2008-03-01, International Astronomical Union, 2007-05-21, retrieved 2009-09-09.
External links
edit- SOFA Home Page
- Scholarpedia overview of SOFA
- International Astronomical Union and Working group "Standards of Fundamental Astronomy
