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Subsections
For fixed block length sequential media, including but not restricted
to optical disks (accessed as a sequential set of records), QIC format
1/4-inch cartridge tapes, and local area networks, FITS files
shall be written as a bitstream, using the fixed block size
of the medium. If the end of the last logical record does not
coincide with the end of a physical fixed block, all bits in
the remainder of the physical block containing the last logical
record shall be set to zero. After an end-of-file mark has
been detected in the course of reading a FITS file,
subsequent incomplete FITS logical
records should be disregarded.
For variable block length sequential media, including
but not restricted to 1/2-inch 9-track tapes,
DAT 4 mm cartridge tapes, and 8 mm cartridge tapes,
FITS files may be written with an integer blocking factor
equal to 1-10 logical records per physical block.
5/13/1999