Purpose
To ensure safe installation, adequate airflow, proper cable management, and long-term serviceability within our observatory systems, customer-supplied computer systems must comply with the following requirements.
These guidelines are based on the available space within each observatory configuration and are intended to maximize usable workspace while maintaining safe operation.
Approved Computer Types by Observatory Configuration
Smart Telescope / Seestar Bars
Allowed Computer Types
- Mini PCs
- Intel NUC-style systems
- Ultra-Compact PCs
Typical Physical Size (Approximate)
- Up to approximately 5" H × 5" W × 2.5" D
Requirements
Due to the limited available space within Smart Telescope / Seestar Bars, only Mini PC / NUC-sized computer systems are permitted.
Larger desktop computers, Small Form Factor (SFF) systems, tower computers, and rack-mounted systems are not permitted on Smart Telescope / Seestar Bars.
Mini Piers
Allowed Computer Types
- Mini PCs
- Intel NUC-style systems
- Ultra-Compact PCs
Typical Physical Size (Approximate)
- Up to approximately 5" H × 5" W × 2.5" D
Lite Piers
Allowed Computer Types
- Mini PCs
- Intel NUC-style systems
- Ultra-Compact PCs
- Small Form Factor (SFF) desktops
Typical Physical Size (Approximate)
- Mini PC / NUC: Up to approximately 5" H × 5" W × 2.5" D
- Small Form Factor (SFF): Up to approximately 14" H × 4" W × 13" D
Standard Piers
Allowed Computer Types
- Mini PCs
- Intel NUC-style systems
- Ultra-Compact PCs
- Small Form Factor (SFF) desktops
- Mini Tower desktops
Typical Physical Size (Approximate)
- Mini PC / NUC: Up to approximately 5" H × 5" W × 2.5" D
- Small Form Factor (SFF): Up to approximately 14" H × 4" W × 13" D
- Mini Tower: Up to approximately 16" H × 8" W × 16" D
Heavy Piers
Allowed Computer Types
- Mini PCs
- Intel NUC-style systems
- Ultra-Compact PCs
- Small Form Factor (SFF) desktops
- Mini Tower desktops
- Mid Tower desktops
- Full Tower desktops
Typical Physical Size (Approximate)
- Small Form Factor (SFF): Up to approximately 14" H × 4" W × 13" D
- Mini Tower: Approximately 16" H × 8" W × 16" D
- Mid Tower: Approximately 19" H × 9" W × 18" D
- Full Tower: Approximately 22" H × 10" W × 22" D
Footprint & Orientation Requirements
To maximize available workspace, improve airflow, simplify cable management, and maintain safe serviceability, customers should select the smallest computer chassis that adequately meets their performance requirements.
Whenever possible, systems should be chosen to minimize the amount of floor space they occupy.
For Small Form Factor (SFF), Mini Tower, Mid Tower, and Full Tower systems:
- The computer should be designed to operate in its intended upright (tower) orientation.
- The chassis should have a narrow floor footprint relative to its height.
- Traditional vertical tower designs are preferred over horizontal desktop or cube-style enclosures.
- The computer must not obstruct observatory equipment, restrict airflow, interfere with cable routing, or reduce service access.
The objective is to preserve as much usable space as possible while ensuring reliable operation and ease of maintenance.
Systems Requiring Pre-Approval
The following computer systems require written approval from Starfront Observatories before purchase or shipment:
- Extended ATX (E-ATX) workstations
- Rack-mounted computers
- Rack servers (4U, 5U, 6U, etc.)
- Industrial computer systems
- Custom-built computer chassis
- Cube-style computer cases
- Horizontal desktop-style computer cases
- Any computer system larger than a typical Full Tower
- Any computer requiring custom mounting or installation accommodations
These systems may require additional consideration for available space, cooling, power, cable routing, or maintenance access.
Computer systems requiring pre-approval must not be shipped until written approval has been received from Starfront Observatories.
Size & Fit Guidelines
The dimensions listed in this policy are intended as general reference guidelines only.
Computer chassis vary significantly between manufacturers, and similar hardware configurations may be available in multiple enclosure styles.
Meeting the approximate dimensions above does not automatically guarantee compatibility.
Customers are encouraged to select the smallest enclosure that adequately supports their hardware requirements while maintaining the smallest practical floor footprint.
If you are uncertain whether your computer system complies with this policy, please contact Starfront Support before purchasing or shipping your equipment. We are happy to review your proposed configuration and verify compatibility.
Not Permitted
The following computer configurations are not permitted without prior written approval from Starfront Observatories:
- Rack-mounted computer systems
- Rack servers
- Industrial computer enclosures
- Oversized custom chassis
- Computer systems exceeding the approved size for the observatory configuration
- Computer systems that prevent safe installation or maintenance
- Horizontal desktop chassis with unnecessarily large floor footprints
- Cube-style or wide-form-factor computer cases that occupy significantly more floor space than an equivalent tower-style system
Questions or Special Requests
If your computer system falls outside these guidelines, or if you are uncertain whether it will fit within your observatory configuration, please open a support ticket before purchasing, shipping, or installing your equipment.
We're happy to verify compatibility in advance. All exceptions require written pre-approval to ensure proper fit, adequate cooling, safe installation, and long-term serviceability.
Unapproved Equipment
Computer systems that do not comply with this policy and have not received prior written approval may be refused for installation.
To help avoid unnecessary shipping costs, installation delays, and return processing, written pre-approval must be obtained before equipment is shipped—not after it arrives.
If a customer ships a computer system that exceeds the approved size limitations or otherwise does not comply with this policy without first obtaining written approval from Starfront Observatories, the customer assumes full responsibility for all associated costs.
These costs may include, but are not limited to:
- Return shipping charges
- Shipping insurance (if requested)
- Packaging or repackaging materials
- Handling or processing fees
- Replacement equipment
- Additional labor required as a result of the unapproved shipment
Starfront Observatories is not responsible for any shipping charges, handling fees, return freight costs, packaging expenses, or other costs associated with unapproved computer systems shipped in violation of this policy.
Customers are strongly encouraged to contact Starfront Support before purchasing or shipping any computer system that may fall outside these guidelines. We are happy to review proposed systems in advance to verify compatibility and help avoid unnecessary expenses or installation delays.
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