Crux Karoo Observatory

Crux Tools / Rig Chooser

Match the target to a capture lane.

Use the Rig Chooser after the roadmap: first understand the phase context, then let the tool recommend a practical instrument path for target scale, dataset intent and mosaic risk.

Phase context Open chooser Rig families Planning lanes Rig Roadmap

Phase context

Choose inside the roadmap.

The chooser recommends a practical lane. It does not imply that every lane is already bookable, commissioned or available on a given night.

Phase 0

Testbed validation

Internal proof of automation, calibration, optical trains, Atlas handoff and staff procedure.

  • SQA130 testbed
  • SCA310 detail testbed
Phase 1

Public data engine

First production-facing dataset lanes after commissioning and data-quality validation.

  • Crux Atlas Array
  • SQA130 production route
Phase 2

Guided public access

Expanded rig choices for rental-style use, guided imaging, media and education.

  • SQA106 widefield
  • SCA310 detail routes
  • Smartscope layer
Phase 3

Destination astronomy

Stay-linked astronomy, Sky Theatre context, guest workstations and premium handovers.

  • Guided guest sessions
  • Premium data products

Interactive chooser

Target, scale and intent.

Choose a target and capture intent. The result is an advisory planning lane that should be checked against FOV, mosaic risk and final Crux review.

Decision Inputs

Capture brief.

Rig family context

What the chooser can recommend.

These families mirror the roadmap language. Some are near-term production lanes, some are future public lanes, and the SCA310 remains commissioning-dependent for detail work.

Widefield

SQA106 / IMX571

509 mm f/4.8 widefield route for large nebulae, clouds, dark dust, seasonal context and efficient wide compositions.

Tighter Widefield

SQA106 / IMX585

Same 509 mm refractor geometry with the smaller IMX585 sensor for tighter crops and smaller targets.

Atlas Array

SQA130 / IMX571

624 mm f/4.8 balanced default for premium southern-sky targets, public datasets and reliable single-frame planning.

Grand Frame

SQA130 / IMX461

624 mm f/4.8 large-format route where the wider IMX461 field adds value after validation.

Detail

SCA310 / IMX571

1178 mm f/3.8 geometry for galaxies, globulars and compact nebulae; exposure planning uses the f/5.0 obstruction-aware model.

Core Detail

SCA310 / IMX585

Small-sensor detail route for very compact targets, planetary nebulae and testbed confirmation work.

Future Specialist

SQA106 Dragonfly Array

Future parallel widefield depth route for large faint structures, regional mosaics and survey-style capture programmes.

Closing guardrail

Planning lanes, not bookings.

After the chooser recommends a rig family, this section explains what that recommendation does — and does not — mean. It is a planning signal, not a live operations or booking system.

All Phases filter: Show internal, planned and future chooser lanes together. These are planning signals, not live availability.

Use this section after the recommendation to understand whether the result is internal, planned, future-facing or review-gated.

Default public lane

Atlas / SQA130

SQA130 / IMX571 Balanced default Dataset candidate P1

Recommended when target scale and intent fit a premium public dataset route.

Widefield lane

SQA106 / Grand Frame

Large fields Mosaic risk check Context route P1 / P2

Used for large nebulae, dust regions, dwarf galaxies and wide southern fields.

Detail lane

SCA310 / Galaxy

1178 mm geometry Manual review Obstruction-aware timing P0 / P1 / P2

Used for galaxies, compact nebulae, planetary nebulae and higher-detail crops.

Guest lane

Guided / Smartscope

Future public experience Education route Stay-linked context P2 / P3

Used for public interpretation, beginner imaging and lodge-linked astronomy experiences.

Rig Roadmap → Rig Chooser → FOV / Mosaic Check → Capture Package Builder → Crux Review

Please note this tool recommends a planning path, not a telescope reservation.