[SciPy-user] ipython memory leak

[Keflavich]

Hi, I'm running a script that loads a lot of fits images into the
global namespace; I need at least most of them to be present for
debugging purposes.  However, every time I re-run the script, it
consumes exactly the same amount of memory: nothing is freed even
though all of the variables are overwritten.  I've tried playing with
the gc module and %clear out and manually deleting the variables, but
the memory is never freed.  After 2-3 runs, ipython crashes
complaining of a memory issues.  Plotting with matplotlib may be part
of the problem, but the memory leak (?) still occurs if I remove the
plotting commands.  Any tips on cleaning things up?

The memory error:
python2.5(751) malloc: *** mmap(size=102875136) failed (error code=12)
*** error: can't allocate region
*** set a breakpoint in malloc_error_break to debug

Thanks,
Adam