Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-30

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Rudi (for handover), Enrico

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Summary
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Variable seeing and transparency tonight.

Data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-050 P1 RSS (Identifying and studying galaxy winds, outflows and ionized gas that is outside of galaxy disks.)
2017-1-SCI-012 P1 RSS (x2) (Time resolved spectroscopy of a new red back: a transitional accreting millisec pulsar)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-052 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs.)
2017-1-SCI-029 P2 RSS (Line profile variations in PKS 1020-103)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-053 P2 RSS (x2) (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2017-1-SCI-058 P3 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-29

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Enrico

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Summary
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Variable seeing and transparency, but a productive night nevertheless.

Data taken for:
2017-1-SCI-040 P0 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-012 P1 RSS (x2) (Time resolved spectroscopy of a new red back: a transitional accreting millisec pulsar)
2017-1-SCI-054 P1 RSS (x2) (A kinematic study of extraplanar gas in spiral galaxies with a range of SFRs)
2017-1-SCI-052 P2 HRS (x2) (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs.)
2017-1-SCI-065 P2 RSS (Spectro-polarimetric study of a selected gamma-ray Seyfert galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2017-1-SCI-058 P3 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-SCI-008 P3 HRS (x2) (Investigation of variability of absorption lines due to ISM towards vela SNR. )
2017-1-SCI-024 P4 RSS (Classification of rapidly varying stars)

Monday, May 29, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-28

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Enrico

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Summary
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A clear night with reasonable though variable seeing.

Data taken for:
2017-1-SCI-050 P1 RSS (Identifying and studying galaxy winds, outflows and ionized gas that is outside of galaxy disks.)
2017-1-SCI-054 P1 RSS (x2) (A kinematic study of extraplanar gas in spiral galaxies with a range of SFRs)
2017-1-SCI-008 P1 HRS (Investigation of variability of absorption lines due to ISM towards vela SNR. )
2017-1-SCI-012 P1 RSS (Time resolved spectroscopy of a new red back: a transitional accreting millisec pulsar)
2017-1-SCI-034 P2 RSS (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2017-1-SCI-053 P2 RSS (x3) (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2017-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2017-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2016-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-003 P3 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-27

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Enrico

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Summary
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Night cut short by high humidity just before midnight, but we got back on sky after 3:30 a.m.

Data taken for:
2017-1-SCI-040 P0 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-005 P0 RSS (Classification of possible supernovae)
2017-1-SCI-002 P1 RSS (Studying the growth of supermassive black holes with spectropolarimetry)
2017-1-SCI-012 P1 RSS (Time resolved spectroscopy of a new red back: a transitional accreting millisec pulsar)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-034 P2 RSS (x2) (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2017-1-SCI-053 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2017-1-SCI-068 P2 RSS (Connecting timescales of star formation and AGN activity in galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-26

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Enrico

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Summary
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Had time for just one observation before high humidity forced us to close.

Data taken for:
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)

Friday, May 26, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-25

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Enrico. Daniel & Domenique for a tour.

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Summary
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Night lost to high humidity.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-24

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Enrico

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Summary
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Thin clouds but excellent seeing on this dark night.

Data taken for:
2017-1-SCI-054 P1 RSS (x2) (A kinematic study of extraplanar gas in spiral galaxies with a range of SFRs)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x2) (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-052 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs.)
2017-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2015-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-055 P2 RSS (Identifying galaxies in massive clusters in the early Universe)
2017-1-SCI-068 P2 RSS (x3) (Connecting timescales of star formation and AGN activity in galaxies)
2017-1-SCI-044 P3 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2017-1-SCI-056 P3 RSS (Unveiling powerful hidden black holes: spectroscopy of WISE-selected obscured quasars)
2017-1-SCI-025 P3 HRS (Determining the period of a multi-periodic pulsating binary system.)

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-23

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others: Marissa for handover, Tamara for a while

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Summary
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=> Night with very strong wind, which closed us at about midnight.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-034 P1 RSS (x4) (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-068 P2 RSS (Connecting timescales of star formation and AGN activity in galaxies)

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-22

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

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Summary
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=> Dark night with good and moderate seeing and thin clouds most of the night.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-016 P1 RSS (Lyman alpha halos around newly found z>3 QSOs)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Studying the growth of supermassive black holes with spectropolarimetry)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (x2) (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2017-1-SCI-056 P3 RSS (x2) (Unveiling powerful hidden black holes: spectroscopy of WISE-selected obscured quasars)
2017-1-SCI-058 P4 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)

Monday, May 22, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-21

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

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Summary
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=> Dark and grey night with good and moderate seeing. Clouds came during second half of the night closing us in the morning.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-036 P0 RSS (Transmission Spectrum and Forward Scattering from Wasp 43b)
2017-1-SCI-050 P1 RSS (Identifying and studying galaxy winds, outflows and ionized gas that is outside of galaxy disks.)
2017-1-SCI-034 P2 RSS (x3) (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-1-SCI-056 P3 RSS (x4) (Unveiling powerful hidden black holes: spectroscopy of WISE-selected obscured quasars)
2017-1-MLT-005 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic investigations of Cepheids and stars belonging to open clusters and associations)
2017-1-SCI-010 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-20

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

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Summary
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=> Grey and dark night with moderate and good seeing. Lost some time because clouds.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2017-1-DDT-001 P0 RSS (Narrow filter imaging of the nebula associated with the candidate super soft X-ray source)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (x2) (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-SCI-034 P1 RSS (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2017-1-SCI-011 P1 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2017-1-SCI-002 P1 RSS (Studying the growth of supermassive black holes with spectropolarimetry)
2017-1-SCI-029 P1 RSS (Line profile variations in PKS 1020-103)
2017-1-SCI-040 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-056 P2 RSS (Unveiling powerful hidden black holes: spectroscopy of WISE-selected obscured quasars)
2017-1-SCI-068 P2 RSS (Connecting timescales of star formation and AGN activity in galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x4) (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (Lyman alpha halos around newly found z>3 QSOs)
2017-1-SCI-043 P3 HRS (verifying the Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function)

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-19

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

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Summary
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=> One more very stable night with very good seeing

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (x2) (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-SCI-034 P1 RSS (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x3) (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2017-1-SCI-052 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs.)
2017-1-SCI-041 P4 HRS (HRS spectra to characterize stars that are periodically eclipsed by very low mass stars)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-MLT-001 P4 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-010 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (Analyzing chemically peculiar subdwarfs and searching for the heavy-metal stars. )

Friday, May 19, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-18

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

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Summary
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=> Very stable night with good and very good seeing.

=> Data were taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-SCI-011 P1 RSS (x2) (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2016-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Obtaining spectroscopic redshifts in the CHILES field)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-010 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-MLT-001 P4 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-006 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars associated with mid-infrared nebulae)
2017-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (Analyzing chemically peculiar subdwarfs and searching for the heavy-metal stars. )

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-17

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

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Summary
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=> Very stable night with low humidity and good seeing. Some technical issues unfortunately.

=> Data taken for programs:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-034 P1 RSS (x2) (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Velocity Function)
2017-1-SCI-016 P1 RSS (Lyman alpha halos around newly found z>3 QSOs)
2017-1-SCI-038 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2017-1-SCI-044 P2 RSS (x2) (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2017-1-SCI-043 P3 HRS (x2) (verifying the Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function)
2017-1-SCI-010 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-SCI-006 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars associated with mid-infrared nebulae)
2017-1-SCI-041 P4 HRS (HRS spectra to characterize stars that are periodically eclipsed by very low mass stars)

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-16

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Alexei (for handover), Nhlavutelo, Enrico, Dave Kilkenny, IT crowd for a tour: Simon, Iriwaan, Pontsho

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Summary
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Observed 4/4 P0 ToOs added during the day (and night). Conditions allowed for a productive evening.

Data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x4) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-002 P1 RSS (Studying the growth of supermassive black holes with spectropolarimetry)
2017-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (Lyman alpha halos around newly found z>3 QSOs)
2015-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (x2) (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-SCI-043 P3 HRS (x2) (verifying the Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function)
2017-1-SCI-024 P3 RSS (Classification of rapidly varying stars)
2017-1-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Analyzing chemically peculiar subdwarfs and searching for the heavy-metal stars. )
2017-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-15

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Nhlavutelo, Enrico

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Summary
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Decent seeing and occasional clouds tonight.

Data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Investigating the activity state of the changing look AGN HE1136-2304)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (x3) (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-SCI-013 P1 RSS (x3) (Gas dynamics in NGC300 and NGC4945)
2017-1-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Investigating the activity state of the AGN Mrk 926 )
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-044 P2 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2017-1-SCI-003 P2 RSS (H alpha observations on a T dwarf)
2017-1-SCI-043 P3 HRS (verifying the Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function)
2017-1-MLT-012 P3 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2017-1-SCI-006 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars associated with mid-infrared nebulae)
2017-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-010 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-SCI-024 P4 RSS (Classification of rapidly varying stars)

Monday, May 15, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-14

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Nhlavutelo (on acquisitions), Enrico

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Summary
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I hope you all appreciated your mothers today. And for those mothers among you, I hope you felt appreciated.
Tonight was a beautifully clear bright-grey night with good seeing, which we put to good use.

Data taken for:
2016-2-DDT-008 P0 RSS (Potential supermassive black hole binary in AGN)
2017-1-SCI-005 P0 RSS (Classification of possible supernovae)
2017-1-SCI-066 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring the strengths of temperature-sensitive TiO and atomic Ti lines in cool dwarfs)
2017-1-SCI-002 P1 RSS (Studying the growth of supermassive black holes with spectropolarimetry)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x2) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-SCI-052 P2 HRS (x2) (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs.)
2017-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2017-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2017-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (x2) (Analyzing chemically peculiar subdwarfs and searching for the heavy-metal stars. )
2017-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-010 P4 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-SCI-024 P4 RSS (x2) (Classification of rapidly varying stars)

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-13

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Nhlavutelo, Enrico, and ~40 UCT 2nd year Astronomy students (split in 3 groups)

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Summary
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Clear bright night with reasonable seeing. We completed an 2.5 hour long observation, the lengthiest single block I've ever done on SALT.

Data taken for:
2016-2-DDT-008 P0 RSS (Potential supermassive black hole binary in AGN)
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-023 P2 HRS (Pulsational observations of alpha Cir)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x3) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2017-1-SCI-024 P4 RSS (x2) (Classification of rapidly varying stars)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-12

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Nhlavutelo, Enrico

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Summary
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Night cut short by clouds and high humidity.

Data taken for:
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-058 P3 HRS (x2) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2017-1-MLT-012 P3 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-SCI-024 P4 RSS (Classification of rapidly varying stars)
2017-1-SCI-044 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

Friday, May 12, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-11

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Nhlavothelo, Enrico

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Summary
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Night lost to weather.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-10

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Nhlavothelo, Enrico

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Summary
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Bright night with reasonable seeing and transparency.

Data taken for:
2016-2-SCI-002 P1 HRS (x2) (High resolution spectroscopic abundance measurements of RGBs in NGC 6584 and NGC 7099)
2017-1-SCI-029 P1 RSS (Line profile variations in PKS 1020-103)
2017-1-SCI-030 P2 RSS (Target of opportunity for variable AGN)
2017-1-SCI-066 P2 HRS (Measuring the strengths of temperature-sensitive TiO and atomic Ti lines in cool dwarfs)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x4) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-013 P2 HRS (x2) (Asteroseismology of close binary stars with mass transfer.)
2017-1-SCI-052 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs.)
2017-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Analyzing chemically peculiar subdwarfs and searching for the heavy-metal stars. )
2017-1-SCI-044 P3 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2017-1-SCI-025 P3 HRS (Determining the period of a multi-periodic pulsating binary system.)
2017-1-SCI-024 P3 RSS (Classification of rapidly varying stars)
2017-1-SCI-046 P4 HRS (Study of the jet producing symbiotic star PN Sa 3-22)
2017-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-09

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Christian. The day crew finishing work on the tracker.

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Summary
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Another beautiful full Moon, clear night with pretty decent seeing - I could get used to this! We had a late start due to some technical problems with the track and a couple of *very* long blocks, so we couldn't beat our own block record tonight.. but there, the challenge has been issued... ;)

Science data for:

2017-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (x2) (Asteroseismology of close binary stars with mass transfer.)
2017-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-066 P1 HRS (Measuring the strengths of temperature-sensitive TiO and atomic Ti lines in cool dwarfs)
2016-2-SCI-002 P1 HRS (x2) (High resolution spectroscopic abundance measurements of RGBs in NGC 6584 and NGC 7099)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-058 P3 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-08

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Christian

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Summary
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Lost 3:40 hours to bad weather and the rest of the night had good seeing and clear skies and we took full advantage!

Science data for:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x3) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-SCI-002 P1 HRS (x2) (High resolution spectroscopic abundance measurements of RGBs in NGC 6584 and NGC 7099)
2016-2-MLT-005 P1 HRS (Investigating the chemical composition of bright star beta Pic and its nearby circumstellar material)
2017-1-SCI-040 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x3) (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-058 P3 HRS (x2) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-SCI-010 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-SCI-024 P4 RSS (Classification of rapidly varying stars)

Monday, May 8, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-07

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Christian.

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Summary
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Gorgeous night, mostly clear and with good seeing and we took 21 blocks! And one of them was 2 hours long! :)

Science data for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-SCI-054 P1 RSS (A kinematic study of extraplanar gas in spiral galaxies with a range of SFRs)
2017-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary stars with mass transfer.)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x4) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x2) (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars associated with mid-infrared nebulae)
2017-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-MLT-012 P3 HRS (x4) (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-SCI-008 P3 HRS (Investigation of variability of absorption lines due to ISM towards vela SNR. )
2017-1-SCI-024 P4 RSS (x2) (Classification of rapidly varying stars)

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-06

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Christian. Eben for tracker help.

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Summary
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A beautiful night with gorgeous seeing and, unfortunately, a few technical problems that prevented us from taking full advantage and breaking our own record... but we'll try again tomorrow! Still, 15 blocks is not too shabby.. ;)

So, without more ado, tonight's winners are:
2017-1-SCI-054 P1 RSS (x2) (A kinematic study of extraplanar gas in spiral galaxies with a range of SFRs)
2017-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary stars with mass transfer.)
2017-1-SCI-052 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs.)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x4) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-MLT-012 P3 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-1-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars associated with mid-infrared nebulae)
2017-1-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Analyzing chemically peculiar subdwarfs and searching for the heavy-metal stars. )

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-05

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Christian and a group of observers for a tour.

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Summary
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The night started very cloudy and with some rain, but cleared enough to open by ~21:45, and had excellent seeing through some thin cloud for the rest of the night. A few technical problems prevented us from being as efficient as last night... but watch this space!

Science data for:
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary stars with mass transfer.)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x2) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-SCI-040 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)

Friday, May 5, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-04

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Christian.

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Summary
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A mostly clear with decent seeing night, with some patches of cloud to add some thrill and spice to what would otherwise be way too easy. So we made the most of it and observed... wait for it...23 blocks! Yep, we are good. ;)

And the lucky winners are:

2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary stars with mass transfer.)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x8) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2017-1-SCI-040 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-SCI-008 P2 HRS (Investigation of variability of absorption lines due to ISM towards vela SNR. )
2017-1-SCI-029 P2 RSS (Line profile variations in PKS 1020-103)
2017-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-1-MLT-012 P3 HRS (x3) (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-03

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Christian, Chris.

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Summary
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The night started with good seeing and clear skies, but unfortunately neither condition lasted and we were forced to close due to ridge cloud just before 10pm.
Science data for:
2017-1-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Line profile variations in RX J0622.6-2318)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x2) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-012 P3 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-02

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Encarni & Fred (handover), Christian, Deneys, Enrico

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Summary
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Cloudy night, but got some science.

Data taken for:
2017-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary stars with mass transfer.)
2017-1-SCI-038 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (x6) (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-005 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic investigations of Cepheids and stars belonging to open clusters and associations)

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Night Log 2017-05-01

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Deneys, Enrico

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Summary
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It's Worker's Day today. A cloudy night with occasional opportunities to try and get science with varying degrees of success initially. But we put this first night of semester 2017-1 to good use, as it was fortunately clear for the 3 P0 ToOs we could successfully observe.

Data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x3) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Using Halpha emission to measure chromospheric variability on the coolest stars. )
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x2) (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-SCI-058 P2 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-SCI-024 P3 RSS (x2) (Classification of rapidly varying stars)
2017-1-MLT-005 P3 HRS (x4) (Spectroscopic investigations of Cepheids and stars belonging to open clusters and associations)

Monday, May 1, 2017

Night Log 2017-04-30

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Deneys, Enrico

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Summary
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A very cloudy night. Many attempts were made in vain, however we did have some limited success.

Data taken for:
2017-1-SCI-024 P3 RSS (Classification of rapidly varying stars)
2017-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)

Here ends semester 2016-2.