With reference to the figure below, all the facilities currently on the Sutherland plateau are on the outer perimeter of the image. The Intelligent Observatory coordinates existing instrument in an intelligent fashion.

Key terms that will be spoken of plenty is the Central Control System (CCS) and the Local Control Unit (LCU).

Central Control System is the central brain of the system. Collates weather information, processes triggers, determine observation queues for individual telescopes and manages the dashboard.

The Local Control Unit is specific to each telescope and when getting the next observation request from the CCS, executes. We’ve organised it this way, since each telescope is different and has different instruments. The LCU enables the CCS to focus on intelligent observing schedules while also being agile in responding to triggers.

Further Information can be found in the IO Operational Concept Description