Night Log 2015-01-30

SA: �ric
SO: Fred
Others: Chris Coetze, Brian Chaboyer

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The night started with very strong wind (around 60 km/h).
Weather was cooperative this time, and we could obtain data.
We observed, among other things, an asteroid classified as Near-Earth Object recently discovered.

But unfortunately, a technical problem had us closed towards the end of the night. We took advantage of the telescope being closed to perform more tests for the mirror.

We could gather data for :
2014-2-SCI-064 P0 RSS (x2) (Rapid response spectroscopy of newly discovered Near Earth Asteroids.)
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)
2014-2-SCI-073 P3 RSS (Monitoring of the SMC LBV S18)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)

Night Log 2015-01-29

SA: �ric
SO: Fred
Others:

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We started by continuing the tests we did yesterday.
And then, weather caught us, and forced us to close.
No data taken tonight.

Night Log 2015-01-28

SA: �ric
SO: Fred
Others:

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Trouble free night.
We started with some tests for the system that will keep the shape of the mirror throughout the night.
Then we could do some science observations, but towards the end of the night, we had to close because of the rising humidity.

Data taken for :
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)

Night Log 2015-01-27

SA: Brent
SO: Thea
Others: Eric, Fred, Tahina

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High humidity and clouds tonight. Did not open.

Night Log 2015-01-26

SA: Brent
SO: Thea
Others:

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Heavy cloud and high humidity. No observations tonight.

Night Log 2015-01-25

SA: Brent
SO: Thea
Others:

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Very thick cloud tonight. Tried some observations at the start of the night unsuccessfully as we were quickly clouded out.

Night Log 2015-01-24

SA: Brent
SO: Thea
Others: Boonrucksar and Wichan from NARIT, Thailand

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Mostly cloudy night but opened up to complete one block for 2014-2-SCI-060 (P3) and some specphot stds.

Night Log 2015-01-23

SA: Brent
SO: Thea
Others:

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A productive dark night but with very poor seeing.

Data taken for:

2014-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2014-2-SCI-058 P1 HRS (Accretion in Young Binary Star Systems)
2014-2-SCI-001 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for circumbinary planets)
2014-2-SCI-032 P2 RSS (Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Distant Star Forming Galaxies)
2014-2-SCI-024 P2 HRS (x2) (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)

Night Log 2015-01-22

SA: Brent
SO: Thea
Others:

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A mostly trouble free dark night but with quite poor seeing.

Data taken for:

2014-2-SCI-047 P1 RSS (Study of the properties of thin and thick disks of galaxy IC2531)
2014-2-SCI-065 P1 SCAM (x3) (Studying the long-term behavior of classical novae after their eruptions)
2014-2-SCI-015 P1 RSS (Measuring dark matter in clusters using the brightest cluster galaxies)
2014-2-SCI-074 P2 SCAM (Observations of Dwarf Novae in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2014-2-SCI-023 P2 RSS (Time variabilility of the broad absorption line QSOs.)
2014-2-SCI-066 P2 RSS (x2) (Finding the redshift and ionization of WISE-selected QSOs)

Night Log 2015-01-21

SA: Brent
SO: Thea
Others: Steve C

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Engineering tests for SAMS during first half of night. Then data taken under mostly poor seeing for:

2014-2-SCI-066 P2 RSS (x2) (Finding the redshift and ionization of WISE-selected QSOs)
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)
2014-2-SCI-010 P3 RSS (Spectroscopic observations of the pulsating, eclipsing binary 1SWASP J050634)
2014-1-MLT-007 P4 RSS (Long term monitoring of circumstellar disk in Be X-ray binaries)

Night Log 2015-01-20

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others: Brent and Steve for part of the night

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=> Clear and photometric night with low humidity but with very unstable seeing continuously changing from 1.5" to 3.9"

=> Data were taking for the programs:
2014-1-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Determining the fraction of Luminous Red Galaxies in merging pairs)
2014-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Superwinds in luminous starburst galaxies)
2014-2-SCI-015 P1 RSS (Measuring dark matter in clusters using the brightest cluster galaxies)
2014-2-SCI-024 P2 HRS (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2014-1-MLT-007 P4 RSS (x2) (Long term monitoring of circumstellar disk in Be X-ray binaries)

Night Log 2015-01-19

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others: Tamara for a while

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=> No observations tonight due to tracker problems

=> HRS weekly calibrations

=> RSS Focus tests

Night Log 2015-01-18

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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=> Unstable night with clear sky and fluctuating humidity.
Variable seeing for this reason. Finally, we were closed by humidity two hours before twilight.

=> Data were taken for the following programs:
2014-2-SCI-070 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of type Ia supernovae discovered by DES to analyse their spectral properties)
2014-2-SCI-024 P2 HRS (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2014-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the evolution of lenticular galaxies.)

=> Some calibration data were taken

Night Log 2015-01-17

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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=> Very good and stable night. Photometric, low humidity and good seeing.

=> Some data were taken for the following programs:
2014-2-SCI-070 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of type Ia supernovae discovered by DES to analyse their spectral properties)
2014-1-MLT-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Determining the fraction of Luminous Red Galaxies in merging pairs)
2014-2-SCI-015 P1 RSS (Measuring dark matter in clusters using the brightest cluster galaxies)
2014-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (x3) (Superwinds in luminous starburst galaxies)

Night Log 2015-01-16

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others: Tamara for a while

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=> Clear night with cirrus at the beginning, but with good seeing.
Started to be worse during the night and be closed by humidity one
hour before twilight.

=> Data were taken for the following programs:
2014-2-SCI-070 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of type Ia supernovae discovered by DES to analyse their spectral properties)
2014-2-SCI-029 P1 RSS (Redshifts of gravitationally lensed arcs in El Gordo)
2014-1-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Determining the fraction of Luminous Red Galaxies in merging pairs)
2014-2-SCI-074 P1 SCAM (Observations of Dwarf Novae in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2014-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the evolution of lenticular galaxies.)
2014-2-SCI-023 P3 RSS (Time variabilility of the broad absorption line QSOs.)
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)
2014-1-MLT-007 P4 RSS (Long term monitoring of circumstellar disk in Be X-ray binaries)

Night Log 2015-01-15

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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=> Very unstable night with strong wind, clouds and bad seeing.
Were closed by humidity finally.

=> Some data were taken for the following programs:
2014-2-SCI-014 P1 RSS (Investigating the activity in the not-red-and-dead brightest cluster galaxies)
2014-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Study of the evolution of lenticular galaxies.)
2014-1-MLT-007 P4 RSS (x2) (Long term monitoring of circumstellar disk in Be X-ray binaries)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)

Night Log 2015-01-14

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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=> Unstable night with moderate seeing. Lost half of the night for
the heavy clouds.

=> Data were taken for the following programs:
2014-2-SCI-036 P0 RSS (Studying the long-term evolution of the unique helium nova V445 Puppis)
2014-2-SCI-014 P1 RSS (Investigating the activity in the not-red-and-dead brightest cluster galaxies)
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)

Night Log 2015-01-13

SA: Luke
SO: Veronica
Others: Alexei for handover

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A patchy night with an attempt at a P0 ToO target with contemporaneous Hubble observation of V445 Puppis right after twilight, before closing due to high humidity (conditions also cloudy with strong winds making good mirror alignment difficult). Re-opened later for a P1 and P4 target, only to be closed by humidity again.

Data taken for:

2014-2-SCI-036 P0 RSS (Studying the long-term evolution of the unique helium nova V445 Puppis)
2014-2-SCI-023 P1 RSS (Time variabilility of the broad absorption line QSOs.)
2014-1-MLT-007 P4 RSS (Long term monitoring of circumstellar disk in Be X-ray binaries)

Night Log 2015-01-12

SA: Paul
SO: Veronica
Others: SA actually Luke, Etienne called out around 1am (thanks)

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Two P2 targets and one P3 target observed tonight. Closed before morning twilight due to cloud and thunderstorms. Lick standard and a full complement of HRS arcs and flats across all four modes.

Data taken for:

2014-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the evolution of lenticular galaxies.)
2014-2-SCI-066 P3 RSS (x2) (Finding the redshift and ionization of WISE-selected QSOs)

Night Log 2015-01-11

SA: Paul
SO: Veronica
Others: Luke actually SA, Johnathon remotely

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A productive and clear night in grey time. 1x P1, 5x P2, 2x P3 targets, spectrophotometric standards and radial velocity standards as well as numerous lamp calibrations for HRS

Data taken for:
2014-2-SCI-066 P2 RSS (x2) (Finding the redshift and ionization of WISE-selected QSOs)
2014-2-SCI-030 P2 RSS (x2) (Identifying new ultracompact binary star systems through their spectral characteristics)
2014-2-SCI-002 P2 HRS (The black matter probe using the interstellar gas)
2014-2-SCI-001 P2 HRS (Searching for circumbinary planets)
2014-2-SCI-069 P3 SCAM (Rapid photomerty of mCVs with SCAM in slotmode)
2014-2-SCI-016 P3 HRS (Investigating the birth and evolution of X-ray binaries through their radial motion.)

Night Log 2015-01-10

SA: Paul
SO: Veronica
Others: SA actually Luke

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A technically flawless performance from SALT/SCAM/RSS/HRS tonight, enjoying clear still skies. Marred only by reasonably high dome seeing. 3x P1 targets (including a dark time program before moonrise), 2x P2 targets and 2x P3 targets. Additionally RSS spectrophotometric standards, Lick standards and numerous HRS CalSys calibrations.

Data taken for:

2014-2-SCI-074 P1 SCAM (Observations of Dwarf Novae in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2014-2-SCI-047 P1 RSS (Study of the properties of thin and thick disks of galaxy IC2531)
2014-2-SCI-016 P2 HRS (Investigating the birth and evolution of X-ray binaries through their radial motion.)
2014-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Searching for circumbinary planets)
2014-2-SCI-066 P3 RSS (x3) (Finding the redshift and ionization of WISE-selected QSOs)

Night Log 2015-01-09

SA: Paul
SO: Veronica
Others: SA actually Luke

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A clear and calm night, moving just inside 'grey time' moon conditions (80%) with few technical issues but poor seeing conditions. Nevertheless many blocks completed and extensive HRS calibrations taken (including faint arcs, internal arcs, multiple deep flats in all modes and limited radial velocity standards).

Data taken for:

2014-2-SCI-039 P1 SCAM (Imaging distant galaxy cluster candidates detected by the Atacama Cosmology Telescope)
2014-2-SCI-004 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2014-2-SCI-066 P2 RSS (Finding the redshift and ionization of WISE-selected QSOs)
2014-2-SCI-024 P2 HRS (x2) (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2014-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Searching for circumbinary planets)
2014-2-SCI-016 P3 HRS (Investigating the birth and evolution of X-ray binaries through their radial motion.)

Night Log 2015-01-08

SA: Paul
SO: Veronica
Others: (Luke as SA)

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A solid start to the night with the now back-in-action HRS, unfortunately closing with cloud and then humidity later on in the night.

Data taken for:
2014-2-SCI-001 P2 HRS (Searching for circumbinary planets)
2014-2-SCI-050 P2 HRS (Exploring the limits of HRS for measuring Exoplanet Radial Velocities)

Plus many HRS lamp calibrations

Night Log 2015-01-07

SA: Paul
SO: Veronica
Others: (SA actually Luke), Etienne and Johnathan

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A frustrating first half of the night for my first attempt at SA duty:

- annoying to be taking P4 data when P1 HRS bright time targets are otherwise available
- fraught with passing cloud which prevented acquisition/guidance of multiple P4 targets
- cloud may have rendered the Sancho P1 target useless and a rapidly degrading stack over the acquisition period may have rendered the Miszalski P3 program useless
- a cable wrap issue near sunset prevented twilight standards.

Some mild BMS errors at the start of the night (thanks to Etienne and Johnathon) as well as a structure error caused by a compressor, which quickly resolved itself.

Data taken for:

2014-2-SCI-047 P1 RSS (Study of the properties of thin and thick disks of galaxy IC2531)
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (x2) (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)
2014-2-SCI-076 P4 SCAM (Studying the long-term behavior of classical novae after their eruptions)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)

Night Log 2015-01-06

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Luke, Deon. Vaisanen family, and Daniel and Dylan visiting

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Still bright sky, now with thin cirrus and average seeing. Spent the
whole night doing RSS and SCAM science, many P4s again.
Absolutely no problems at all during the night.

Data for:

2014-2-SCI-010 P3 RSS (Spectroscopic observations of the pulsating, eclipsing binary 1SWASP J050634)
2014-2-SCI-069 P3 SCAM (Rapid photomerty of mCVs with SCAM in slotmode)
2014-2-SCI-047 P3 RSS (Study of the properties of thin and thick disks of galaxy IC2531)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x5) (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)
2014-2-SCI-076 P4 SCAM (x2) (Studying the long-term behavior of classical novae after their eruptions)

Night Log 2015-01-05

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Simon and Nathalie, Vaisanen family

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A remarkably stable photometric night with great seeing. But also full
moon and with HRS off-line and not much on other instruments for the
bright sky, so most of the night spent on P4 programs. A good stretch
of on-sky engineering tests in the middle of the night. Only a few
minutes lost to any tech issues.

Data for:

2014-2-SCI-069 P3 SCAM (Rapid photometry of mCVs with SCAM in slotmode)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x4) (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)
2014-2-SCI-076 P4 SCAM (x4) (Studying the long-term behavior of classical novae after their eruptions)

Night Log 2015-01-04

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Minna

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A very stable, reasonably good seeing, full moon night, though cirrus on
the sky until after midnight. HRS was not available again, so only
RSS and Salticam science done, but got through thirteen blocks with no
hitches whatsoever.

Data taken for:

2014-2-SCI-010 P3 RSS (Spectroscopic observations of the pulsating, eclipsing binary 1SWASP J050634)
2014-2-SCI-047 P3 RSS (Study of the properties of thin and thick disks of galaxy IC2531)
2014-2-SCI-069 P3 SCAM (Rapid photomerty of mCVs with SCAM in slotmode)
2014-2-SCI-059 P3 RSS (Studying Spectral Signatures of Disks and Winds in Cataclysmic Variables)
2014-2-SCI-073 P4 RSS (x2) (Monitoring of the SMC LBV S18)
2014-2-SCI-076 P4 SCAM (x4) (Studying the long-term behavior of classical novae after their eruptions)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)

Night Log 2015-01-03

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Vaisanen family, Simon visiting.

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Bright, mostly clear night with decent seeing. HRS came back online
after couple of weeks and we spent the whole night on HRS science, apart
from a short spell of high humidity and last half an hour lost to a tech issue.

Data, some very long blocks, taken for:
2014-2-SCI-016 P2 HRS (Investigating the birth and evolution of X-ray binaries through their radial motion.)
2014-2-SCI-068 P2 HRS (Properties of rapidily oscillating Ap star HD60435)
2014-2-SCI-050 P2 HRS (x2) (Exploring the limits of HRS for measuring Exoplanet Radial Velocities)
2014-2-SCI-020 P2 HRS (HRS observations of planetary nebulae and spectra of dwarf tidal galaxies.)

Night Log 2015-01-02

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Deon. Vaisanen family.

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Bright night with decent seeing, mostly clear with a cloudy patch in
the middle with some time lost to it. Had to do several alignments
however. One block lost to a tech issue, but nine others successfully
completed for:

2014-2-SCI-047 P3 RSS (Study of the properties of thin and thick disks of galaxy IC2531)
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (x3) (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)
2014-2-SCI-007 P3 RSS (Identifying the age of the Argus moving group using the lithium depletion boundary)
2014-2-SCI-073 P4 RSS (x2) (Monitoring of the SMC LBV S18)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x2) (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)

Night Log 2015-01-01

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Simon, Minna, Rebekka visiting.

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A beautiful clear bright night. Lost the last 40 mins to a tech problem
but managed 12 straight problem-free science blocks before that.

Data for:
2014-2-MLT-005 P0 RSS (Deriving the mass of the central super-massive black hole in the core of active galaxies)
2014-2-SCI-059 P2 RSS (Studying Spectral Signatures of Disks and Winds in Cataclysmic Variables)
2014-2-SCI-060 P3 RSS (x6) (Searching for binaries in unusual central stars of planetary nebulae)
2014-2-SCI-073 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring of the SMC LBV S18)
2014-2-SCI-010 P3 RSS (Spectroscopic observations of the pulsating, eclipsing binary 1SWASP J050634)
2014-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Study, and detailed classification, of a number of proposed very cool astronomical objects)

Night Log 2014-12-31

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Deon. Chris and Sally at New Year.

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Nice clear problem-free observing until little past midnight when
humidity forced us to close. The honour of the first accepted block of
2015 go to the program ... Seyfert follow-up by Odendaal, congrats :)

Science data of the night:
2014-2-SCI-037 P1 RSS (x2) (Study of the extraplanar diffuse ionized gas properties of galaxies NGC 253 and NGC 3044)
2014-2-SCI-072 P3 RSS (Identifying new narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies from a sample of ROSAT candidates)
2014-2-SCI-055 P3 RSS (Multi-wavelength classification of unidentified Blazar-like Fermi 2LAC catalogue sources)
2014-2-SCI-065 P3 SCAM (Studying the long-term behavior of classical novae after their eruptions)

Happy New Year 2015 everyone - Hyv�� Uutta Vuotta 2015 kaikille