COPPER: These tools offer easy guided navigation and planning. The route starts with calendar context, then moves through dataset language, rig fit, product expectation and final capture-package handoff.
Crux Tools / Southern-Sky Planning
Plan a southern-sky capture path.
Start with a target, a question, or a dataset goal. Crux tools connect live sky context, seasonal visibility, rig fit, field of view, mosaic scope, dataset tier and final capture package into one planning route.
Live above the Karoo / Sutherland signal
Satellite sky tracker.
A quiet horizon preview for predicted satellite geometry above Sutherland. Use it as a live signal layer before moving into target, rig, mosaic and dataset planning.
Viewing: East → South → West · South-facing Sutherland horizon
Planning Note
Crux tools produce a planning brief, not a quote or booking. The Crux team reviews target suitability, seasonal timing, rig fit, mosaic scope and dataset tier before responding to any capture package request.
Tool Index
Specialist tools by role.
BLUE: Users who already know the technical planning step they need: target planning, field fit, mosaic scope, dataset volume and season constraints from Sutherland. Less hand holding, more direct control.
Layer / Gate / Guide
Context before selection.
LAYER / 01
Planning Calendar
Inspect seasonal target windows, moon pressure, rig lanes, dataset opportunity and advisory calendar artifacts before building a capture package.
Open planning calendarGATE / 01
Release Gate
Review public toolchain readiness, contact route, legal layer and deployment checks before presenting a workflow as public-facing.
Open release gateGUIDE / 01
Observatory Instruments
Review the phase-by-phase telescope roadmap, rig-family graphics, planning lanes, commissioning logic and public instrument roles.
Open instrument roadmapPublic GUI workflow
From intent to package.
PUBLIC / 01
Dataset Tiers
Compare Crux Source, Crux Reference and Crux Showcase before choosing a dataset request path.
Compare tiersPUBLIC / 02
Rig Chooser
Choose a practical Crux rig for target type, apparent size, dataset tier and desired result, with roadmap-aware review gates.
Choose rig pathPUBLIC / 03
Dataset Products
Understand what Source, Reference and Showcase requests may deliver, and what Crux confirms after review.
Open dataset productsPUBLIC / 04
Capture Package Builder
Assemble the capture package brief with target, rig, tier, filter mode, delivery preference, imported planning context and notes.
Build package briefHigh Technical Interface Tools
Calculator-level control.
TECH / 01
Observatory Planner
Build a connected southern-sky capture brief with target, rig, framing, mosaic need, dataset tier and next-step links.
Open observatory plannerTECH / 02
Field of View Calculator
Preview how telescope and sensor combinations frame southern-sky targets before committing to a capture request.
Open FOV calculatorTECH / 03
Mosaic Planner
Plan panel counts, overlap logic, target-underlay framing previews and dataset request scope for large targets.
Open mosaic plannerTECH / 04
Dataset Estimator
Estimate capture depth, filter sets, FITS volume, working data size, delivery tier and planning nights.
Open dataset estimatorTECH / 05
Target Season Guide
Explore southern-sky capture windows from Sutherland, then open the chosen target directly in FOV, Mosaic or Dataset planning.
Open target season guide