scholarly journals THE ZADKO TELESCOPE RESULTS: TEN YEARS OF SCIENCE

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 124-126
Author(s):  
B. Gendre ◽  
D. Coward ◽  
J. Moore ◽  
A. Burrell ◽  
A. Klotz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Research Facility ◽  
Southern Latitude ◽  
Optical Transients

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.

scholarly journals The Zadko Telescope: A Southern Hemisphere Telescope for Optical Transient Searches, Multi-Messenger Astronomy and Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Coward ◽  
M. Todd ◽  
T. P. Vaalsta ◽  
M. Laas-Bourez ◽  
A. Klotz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Coast ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Pilot Program ◽  
Public Outreach ◽  
Southern Latitude ◽  
Optical Transients ◽  
Robotic Telescope ◽  
Optical Transient ◽  
Potential Tool

AbstractThe new 1 m f/4 fast-slew Zadko Telescope was installed in June 2008 about 70 km north of Perth, Western Australia. It is the only metre-class optical 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 report on first imaging tests of a pilot program of minor planet searches, and Target of Opportunity observations triggered by the Swift satellite. In 12 months, 6 gamma-ray burst afterglows were detected, with estimated magnitudes; two of them, GRB 090205 (z = 4.65) and GRB 090516 (z = 4.11), are among the most distant optical transients imaged by an Australian telescope. Many asteroids were observed in a systematic 3-month search. In September 2009, an automatic telescope control system was installed, which will be used to link the facility to a global robotic telescope network; future targets will include fast optical transients triggered by high-energy satellites, radio transient detections, and LIGO gravitational wave candidate events. We also outline the importance of the facility as a potential tool for education, training, and public outreach.

scholarly journals Population irruption of the clam Meretrix morphina in Lake St Lucia, South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (7/8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson A. F. Miranda ◽  
Nasreen Peer ◽  
Renzo Perissinotto ◽  
Nicola K. Carrasco ◽  
Salome Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Freshwater Input ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Ocean Region ◽  
West Indian Ocean ◽  
First Time ◽  
Eastern Seaboard

The thick-shelled clam Meretrix morphina, previously referred to as Meretrix meretrix, now occurs in the west Indian Ocean region, along the eastern seaboard of Africa, from the Red Sea to the Mlalazi Estuary, close to the Tugela River. Its presence in South Africa is only of recent recording. Meretrix morphina was detected for the first time in Lake St Lucia in 2000. The population declined and was not detected from 2005 until 2011, most likely as a result of a severe drought that resulted in widespread desiccation and hypersalinity in the lake. The system then experienced increased freshwater input resulting in lower salinities from 2011 until 2014, during which time M. morphina reappeared and their population gradually increased. In 2015, M. morphina became abundant in St Lucia, attaining unprecedented densities of 447 ind./m2. Biomass, expressed as a fresh weight, varied in the different basins of St Lucia, ranging from 195 g/m2 at Lister’s Point to 1909.8 g/m2 at Catalina Bay. However, in 2016, when drought conditions returned, M. morphina disappeared. This species appears to thrive under brackish salinities and high temperatures. It is able to establish large populations with high biomass and can become dominant. However, M. morphina is sensitive to desiccation and hypersaline conditions. This clam has substantial commercial value and is exploited along the African east coast, particularly in Mozambique. In future, it may feature more prominently in South African estuaries. However, the ecology of M. morphina is still largely unknown.

Possible maternal offloading of metals in the plasma, uterine and capsule fluid of pregnant ragged-tooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) on the east coast of South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (20) ◽  
pp. 16798-16805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Naidoo ◽  
Anil Chuturgoon ◽  
Geremy Cliff ◽  
Sanil Singh ◽  
Megan Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Carcharias Taurus

Cerothallia luteoalba. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Minter
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
North America ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Conservation Status

Abstract A description is provided for Cerothallia luteoalba, a lichen-forming fungus growing on well-lit, sunny trunks of trees with alkaline bark, particularly Ulmus spp. Some information on its habitat, dispersal and transmission and conservation status is given, along with details of its geographical distribution (Africa (Morocco, South Africa), North America (USA (Colorado, Washington)), Asia (Iran, Israel, Syria), Atlantic Ocean (Portugal (Azores)), Australasia (Australia (Western Australia)), Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK)).

Pseudomonas syringae pv. passiflorae. [Distribution map].

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Passion Fruit ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Passiflora Edulis ◽  
New Distribution

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Pseudomonas syringae pv. passiflorae (Reid) Young, Dye & Wilkie. Hosts: Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). Information is given on the geographical distribution in Africa, South Africa, Natal, Australasia, Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand.

Taxonomic Review of the perciform fish genus Acanthistius from the east coast of southern Africa, with description of a new species and designation of a neotype for Serranus sebastoides Castelnau, 1861

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2352 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILLIP C. HEEMSTRA
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South America ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Single Specimen ◽  
Warm Temperate ◽  
A New Species

The genus Acanthistius Gill, 1862 comprises ten putative valid species occurring in shallow warm-temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere: South America (coasts of Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina) southern Africa (Namibia and South Africa), southern Australia, New Zealand, Lord Howe, Norfolk, Kermadec and Easter, and Sala y Gómez islands. Two species: Acanthistius sebastoides (Castelnau, 1861) and Acanthistius sp are known from shallow waters of the east coast of South Africa (Heemstra and Randall, 1986). The latter taxon, previously known from a brief description of a single specimen, is here described from 23 specimens and named Acanthistius joanae. Acanthistius sebastoides is redescribed from 13 specimens and compared with A. joanae and species of Acanthistius known from South America and Australia. A neotype is designated for Serranus sebastoides Castelnau, 1861, as the two syntypes are apparently lost.

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