The Zadko telescope results: ten years of science

TL;DR

Over ten years, the Zadko telescope has contributed significantly to optical transient research from a unique southern latitude, with ongoing improvements to enhance its scientific capabilities.

Contribution

This paper reviews a decade of scientific results from the Zadko telescope and discusses modifications made to improve its performance.

Findings

Successful detection of optical transients over ten years

Unique observational coverage at southern latitude

Ongoing upgrades to the telescope facility

Abstract

The 1.0 meter f/4 fast-slew Zadko telescope is located in Western Australia, approximately seventy kilometers north of Perth at Yeal in the Shire of Gingin in a dedicated "low-luminosity" area. It is the only meter class optical research facility at this southern latitude between the east coast of Australia and South Africa and can rapidly image optical transients at a longitude not monitored by other similar facilities. We review here the main results achieved during the last decade and give some points toward the goals set for future years. Finally we discuss the modifications and improvements we had to perform in the facility to reach these new goals.