Saturday, December 31, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-30

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Minna, Ant + visitors, David and Nico

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Summary
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Another stable full night of science, seeing better too, though now
cirrus on the sky all night. No problems. Data taken for:

2016-2-SCI-043 P0 RSS (SALT spectroscopic follow-up of type Ia supernovae for investigations of the nature of dark energy)
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Line profile variations in PKS 1020-103)
2016-2-SCI-051 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy redshifts for the MeerKAT Laduma survey.)
2016-2-SCI-045 P1 RSS (Rotation Curves of CHILES Galaxies)
2016-2-SCI-003 P2 HRS (x2) (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-2-SCI-019 P2,3 RSS (x2) (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)

Friday, December 30, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-29

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Ant, Minna, David, Nico

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Summary
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A nice and stable dark and clear night, with average seeing. Many
long science observations done:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-032 P0 RSS (Multiwavelength study of the AGN)
2016-2-SCI-045 P1 RSS (x2) (Rotation Curves of CHILES Galaxies)
2016-2-SCI-024 P1 SCAM (x2) (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2016-2-SCI-003 P2 HRS (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-2-SCI-023 P3 SCAM (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-28

SA: Petri
SO: Thea
Others: Ant, David, Nico. Minna briefly.

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Summary
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Dark and mostly clear night, but poor seeing so used part of the time
for engineering. High humidity eventually cut us 1.5h short. Science for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-032 P0 RSS (Multiwavelength study of the AGN)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2016-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Redshift measurements of distant massive ACT galaxy clusters)
2016-2-SCI-019 P3 RSS (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-27

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Keith (Via VNC)

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Summary
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High humidity and cloudy conditions forced us to close very early tonight. We did get some data though.

Data taken for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-033 P3 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-26

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Johan, Thabelo (via VNC)

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Summary
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A clear night, with some technical issues cutting our observations short.

Data taken for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-045 P1 RSS (Rotation Curves of CHILES Galaxies)
2016-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)
2016-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x3) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)

Monday, December 26, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-25

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, (David, Nico and Erica for a short visit)

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Summary
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Christmas day observing run went really well, with some variable seeing conditions. A few clouds towards the end of the night, but we managed to push through.

Data taken for:

2016-2-SCI-043 P0 RSS (SALT spectroscopic follow-up of type Ia supernovae for investigations of the nature of dark energy)
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Line profile variations in PKS 1020-103)
2016-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2016-2-SCI-033 P3 HRS (x2) (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2016-2-SCI-019 P2 RSS (x2) (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2016-2-SCI-056 P4 HRS (The search for Black Holes in binaries that will eventually merge.)

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-24

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie

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Summary
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A clear night with highly variable seeing conditions, leaning towards the really bad side. Not the Christmas present we wanted.

Data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-019 P1 RSS (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2016-2-SCI-019 P2 RSS (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x3) (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)
2016-2-SCI-007 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2016-2-SCI-025 P4 HRS (A Faint WR+O star in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-2-SCI-030 P4 RSS (x3) (Characterization of potential pulsating compact objects for the TESS mission)

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-23

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie

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Summary
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No observing tonight. High winds and rainy conditions kept us closed all night.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-22

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie

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Summary
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A clear night with sub-arcsec seeing for the first half of the night.

Data taken for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-033 P3 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2016-2-SCI-027 P3 RSS (Lya halo around RLQSOs.)
2016-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (x2) (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-2-SCI-017 P3 RSS (x3) (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-21

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Marissa

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Summary
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2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2016-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2015-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2016-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (x2) (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-2-SCI-017 P3 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-2-SCI-034 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-20

SA: Marissa
SO: Fred
Others: Enrico, Rudi (Driver's Seat), Stephanie

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Summary
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A clear night with variable seeing. Rising humidity throughout caused rapid changes in seeing. Many high priority blocks observed tonight.

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-DDT-003 P0 RSS (Imaging polarimetry of a peculiar supernova)
2016-2-DDT-003 P0 RSS (Imaging polarimetry of a peculiar supernova)
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Line profile variations in PKS 1020-103)
2016-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)
2016-2-SCI-046 P4 RSS (Monitoring the X-ray bright sgB[e] stars in Magellanic Clouds cc. @astro_Liz)

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-19

SA: Marissa
SO: Fred
Others: Enrico, Rudi (in driver's seat), Stephanie

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Summary
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A clear night to start with, but the humidity forced us to close just after midnight. We did get some data though.

Data taken for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)

Monday, December 19, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-18

SA: Marissa
SO: Fred
Others: Enrico, Rudi (in the driver's seat), Stephanie

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Summary
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Clear bright-grey night, with some very stable seeing throughout the night.

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (x3) (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-2-SCI-023 P3 SCAM (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)
2016-2-SCI-033 P3 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-17

SA: Marissa
SO: Fred
Others: Enrico. Rudi (in training) & Stephanie

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Summary
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Clear bright-grey night.

Data taken for:
2016-2-SCI-038 P2 RSS (Identifying galaxies in massive clusters in the early Universe)
2016-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (x2) (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2016-2-SCI-017 P3 RSS (x2) (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)
2016-2-SCI-057 P3 SCAM (Studying the long-term behavior of classical novae after their eruptions )
2016-2-SCI-047 P4 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-16

SA: Marissa
SO: Fred
Others: Enrico.

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Summary
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A productive bright night with thin clouds and no technical problems.

Data taken for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-034 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2016-2-SCI-033 P3 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2016-1-MLT-007 P3 HRS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x3) (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Friday, December 16, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-15

SA: Marissa
SO: Fred
Others: Enrico. Thembela.

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Summary
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Bright night. Lost 2.5 hrs due to weather.

Data taken for:
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-1-MLT-007 P3 HRS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x3) (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-14

SA: Marissa
SO: Fred
Others: Enrico

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Summary
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Clear bright, but somewhat troublesome night.

Data taken for:
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x3) (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)
2016-1-MLT-007 P3 HRS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2016-2-SCI-034 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-13

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Fred, Marissa and Enrico for overlap.

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Summary
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A clear night with very variable seeing. Science data for:

2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2016-2-SCI-034 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2016-2-SCI-030 P3 RSS (Characterization of potential pulsating compact objects for the TESS mission)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x4) (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-12

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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First part of the night lost to thick cloud. We opened up briefly for one block and promptly closed again to humidity. And the lucky block was:

2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Monday, December 12, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-11

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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A nice clear full Moon night with medium seeing and science data for:

2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-2-SCI-003 P2 HRS (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-2-SCI-016 P2 HRS (High resolution observations of a pulsating planet host star to constrain the age of the system.)
2016-2-SCI-034 P3 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2016-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x2) (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-10

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: E10 remotely for PCON.

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Summary
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Night of very variable seeing, from mildly bad to appalling, with some fast moving clouds making an appearance from around 00:20 and with some technical difficulties to boot. But never fear, we still managed to make the most of it and take science data for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-034 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2016-2-SCI-052 P3 RSS (x2) (Observing edge on BeXRBs in the Magellanic Clouds- PI: @astro_Liz)
2016-2-SCI-030 P4 RSS (Characterization of potential pulsating compact objects for the TESS mission)

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-09

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Taygan

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Summary
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It was very cloudy at the beginning of the night and then it suddenly cleared just after the end of twilight! Clear skies and good seeing the rest of the night, until the humidity forced us to close at ~2:20am.

Science data for:
2016-2-SCI-003 P1 HRS (x3) (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-2-SCI-026 P2 RSS (Search for new symbiotic stars)

Friday, December 9, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-08

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Taygan

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Summary
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The night started very cloudy, but the cloud slowly thinned and we were able to start taking data just before 1am.

Science data for:

016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-2-SCI-026 P3 RSS (Search for new symbiotic stars)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x2) (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-07

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Chris, Keith, Thabelo, Timmy and E10 for the tracker. Lisa, David G., Tumelo and Mosa Qhobela for a nice visit.

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Summary
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An excellent start to the week with a beautiful, clear night with decent seeing. Science data for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-043 P0 RSS (SALT spectroscopic follow-up of type Ia supernovae for investigations of the nature of dark energy)
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-051 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy redshifts for the MeerKAT Laduma survey.)
2016-1-MLT-007 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-2-SCI-003 P2 HRS (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-06

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others: Encarni, Ivan and Tamara

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Summary
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=> Practically whole night was lost due to weather.

=> Some data were taken for programs:
2016-2-SCI-003 P2 HRS (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-05

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others: Ivan Katkov, Tamara for a while

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Summary
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=> Nice warm night with variable seeing from 1" to 3.5" and some technical problems.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-MLT-005 P1 HRS (Investigating the chemical composition of the bright star Beta Pic with it's circumstellar disk )
2016-2-SCI-003 P1 HRS (x3) (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Analysis of metallicity gradient and local chemical composition heterogeneity in the Galactic disk)

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-03

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others: Ivan Katkov, Tamara for a while

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Summary
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=> Entire night lost to bad weather

=> HRS tests were done

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-02

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others: Ivan Katkov, Tamara for while

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Summary
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=> Clear dark night with good enough seeing.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-DDT-003 P0 RSS (Imaging polarimetry of a peculiar supernova)
2016-2-SCI-024 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2016-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-2-SCI-003 P1 HRS (Evolved binaries in the Magellanic Clouds)
2016-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)

Friday, December 2, 2016

Night Log 2016-12-01

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others: Ivan Katkov, Tamara

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Summary
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=> Relatively clear dark night with unstable seeing. Seeing started from moderate values, started to be very good around midnight and grows again to the end of the night.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-DDT-003 P0 RSS (Imaging polarimetry of a peculiar supernova)
2016-2-SCI-024 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2016-2-SCI-036 P2 RSS (Measuring the distance to low surface brightness galaxies)
2016-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (x3) (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (x2) (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-2-SCI-026 P2 RSS (Search for new symbiotic stars)

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Night Log 2016-11-30

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others: Ivan Katkov, Tamara for a while

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Summary
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=> Stable, clear night with moderate seeing.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-009 P2 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopy of K2 White Dwarfs)
2016-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Measuring physical parameters of early-type systems in the LMC)
2016-1-MLT-006 P2 HRS (Orbital period search of possible binary system)
2016-2-SCI-036 P2 RSS (Measuring the distance to low surface brightness galaxies)
2016-2-SCI-038 P2 RSS (Identifying galaxies in massive clusters in the early Universe)
2016-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (x2) (Searching for high redshift quasars for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS))