Science with the LCO Network

The Las Cumbres Observatory operates a global network of fully robotic telescopes with a range of instrumentation through a highly adaptable scheduler system. This scheduler makes it possible to coordinate a wide range of astronomical observations across multiple sites, telescopes and instruments, making it possible to seamlessly compensate in cases of poor weather. The rapid response of the scheduling system combined with the multiple sites makes the network ideal to respond quickly to a range of phenomena over many timescales from minutes to years. Distinct from other telescope networks in astronomy, LCO is a general-purpose facility which supports a wide range of science. I will give an overview of how the network operates, and the unique science that it makes possible. I will describe how the current Key Projects at LCO exploit the network's capabilities and the tools they use. Finally, I will end by looking to the future, and outline LCO's role as a partner in the Astrophysical Events Observatories Network.