Pyxis Systems
Software for astronomical observatories.
About
I founded Pyxis Systems with three co-workers in 1991, originally as a geospatial consultancy serving Australian and international customers. Our clientele was diverse: state government organisations, utilities, software vendors, and international clients from Poland, China, the USA, and New Zealand.
Pyxis ceased active trading in 2006 when I joined the NSW Public Service with what is now Spatial Services in the role of team lead, eventually being appointed Director of Information Services in 2017. I left the NSW Public Service in 2024 to refocus on Pyxis Systems' core initiatives: the development of software for observatory management, and the management of hosted telescope systems.
Pyxis exists to enable amateur and professional astronomers to access world-class observation platforms and systems. The mission is to develop the systems that support that, and AstroVia is the platform that powers the work.
Services
- Telescope system hosting
- Observatory control systems
- Observatory management systems
- Custom software development
Recent projects
- Delivery of AstroVia to suit NSW Powerhouse requirements
- Installation and configuration of software in a new observatory in Mongolia
- Installation and configuration of software in a new observatory on Réunion Island
Featured project: Powerhouse Rooftop Observatory
The Powerhouse Rooftop Observatory in Parramatta is our most recent large project. We moved our software from the desktop to the Azure cloud, providing secure access to a network of telescopes with a strong focus on education for primary and secondary schools.
The system provides interactive models of the solar system, the evolution of stars, and the most recent exoplanet discoveries. Beyond viewing, it gives students simplified image capture as well as sophisticated session planning, scheduling, capture, and processing for the more experienced.
Principals
Julia Hansen, Chief Operating Officer
Since 1984, Julia has held a range of management positions (office management, accounts receivable, company secretary) and other skilled roles including running a framing business and supporting aged care facilities.
Lars Hansen, Chief Technology Officer
I handle the technology side: software architecture, observatory automation, and the integration work that ties the systems together. Forty years of software development across enterprise IT, geospatial systems, and observatory operations.
Between us we have more than sixty years of operating experience across a wide range of areas.
Get in touch
To learn more about Pyxis Systems software and engagements, write to me.