Thursday, May 31, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-30

SA: Rajin
SO: Veronica
Others: Marissa, Lisa

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Summary
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No science data observed tonight due to high humidity.

No science data taken.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-29

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Lisa, Rajin for handover, Keith, Johan, Etienne, Chris and Paul on the phone

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Summary
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No observations taken tonight. TechOps tried hard, unfortunately without success, to solve a tracker failure that happened in the late afternoon. They'll continue on it tomorrow.

No science data taken.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-28

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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No data taken tonight - rainy and very chilly!

No science data taken.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-27

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Lisa

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Summary
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A reasonably productive night despite the clouds. We did more HRS high stability mode commissioning and took data for mostly lower priority blocks due to the weather conditions. The last couple of hours were lost to high wind and clouds.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (High resolution spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray binaries.)
2018-1-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-015 P3 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-1-MLT-002 P3 RSS (Long term monitoring of gamma-ray binaries)
2017-1-MLT-012 P3 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2017-2-SCI-029 P4 HRS (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)
2018-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (x4) (Confirmation of exoplanet candidates)
2018-1-SCI-016 P4 HRS (x2) (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-26

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Lisa, Keith on the phone

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Summary
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The night started off very well, with HRS-HS mode commissioning going smoothly and lovely steady seeing. Unfortunately we had a terrible second half, with multiple problems from ~02:47 to the end of the night. We completed 17 blocks, with a mix of priorities.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-038 P1 HRS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2018-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (High resolution spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray binaries.)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-038 P2 RSS (x5) (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2018-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-027 P3 RSS (Linear spectropolarimetry across H_alpha and H_beta lines of Herbig Ae/Be stars)
2018-1-SCI-029 P3 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies )
2018-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (x4) (Confirmation of exoplanet candidates)

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-25

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Lisa, Thomas and Liz Auf de Heyde, Deneys remotely, Etienne and Simon for SOMMI

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Summary
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No blocks completed tonight. We attempted a bright star in twilight but had to close because of high humidity. We opened again at 3am but SOMMI crashed during the first block and we weren't able to get going again.

No science data taken.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-24

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Lisa, Petri, Chris, Etienne and many visitors

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Summary
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No observations were taken tonight due to very humid and cloudy weather. Some HRS calibrations were taken with the iodine cell in preparation for more high stability mode science.

No science data taken.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-23

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Petri and Ramotholo

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Summary
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A productive night despite some thick clouds at times. The seeing was good throughout the night. We did 18 blocks, mostly P3s due to the clouds, with a few higher priority as it cleared towards morning.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x2) (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-2-SCI-042 P2 RSS (The central molecular zones of southern galaxies)
2018-1-MLT-013 P2 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2017-2-MLT-006 P3 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2018-1-SCI-009 P3 RSS (Variability of broad absorption lines)
2018-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (Central stars of mid-infrared nebulae discovered with Spitzer and WISE)
2018-1-SCI-015 P3 HRS (x2) (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-1-SCI-029 P3 RSS (x5) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies )

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-22

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Marissa, Enrico, Ros

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Summary
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Night started off with very high humidity but it went down. We observed a few blocks until past twilight.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-006 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2017-2-SCI-037 P1 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-038 P1 HRS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2018-1-SCI-027 P2 RSS (Linear spectropolarimetry across H_alpha and H_beta lines of Herbig Ae/Be stars)

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-21

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Marissa, Enrico, Jeremy and three visitors from the USA

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Summary
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Cloudy, windy and humid conditions.
No science blocks done tonight.

No science data taken.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-19

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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No blocks observed tonight. Rainy conditions for most of the night.

No science data taken.

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-18

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Marissa, Enrico

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Summary
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Cloudy conditions - Opened dome around midnight and observed P2 and P3 blocks. Closed early due to thick cloud.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-037 P2 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2017-2-MLT-006 P3 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2018-1-SCI-015 P3 HRS (x2) (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-1-SCI-029 P3 RSS (x5) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies )

Friday, May 18, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-17

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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The night was mostly stable with a few P0 done and lots of guider commissioning.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-006 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2016-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-015 P1 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-1-SCI-038 P2 HRS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2018-1-SCI-030 P2 SCAM (Search for ancient asteroid disruption trails)
2018-1-SCI-038 P2 RSS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2018-1-MLT-013 P2 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-16

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Marissa, Enrico, Stephen, Janus, Anthony

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Summary
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A good night with stable conditions. A lot of time used for guider commissioning.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x3) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Confirmation of exoplanet candidates)
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-038 P2 RSS (x3) (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-15

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others: Janus, Anthony, Stephen, Ito for handover

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Summary
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=> Stable night with good seeing. Most of the night was used for commissioning of the new RSS guider.

=> New ADC test was done.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-2-SCI-052 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopic confirmation of high-redshift radio galaxy candidates)
2018-1-SCI-015 P2 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-14

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others: Janus, Anthony, Tamara for a while

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Summary
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=> Night with rising humidity. We were closed soon after midnight.
Most of the night was used for commissioning work with new RSS guider. Only the highest priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-009 P2 RSS (Variability of broad absorption lines)

Monday, May 14, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-13

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

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Summary
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=> Night with thin clouds, rising humidity and good stable seeing.
Many high priority blocks were observed. Were closed by humidity about one hour before twilight.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-038 P1 RSS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2018-1-SCI-038 P1 HRS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2017-2-SCI-052 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopic confirmation of high-redshift radio galaxy candidates)
2017-2-SCI-037 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-1-SCI-002 P2 RSS (x3) (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Galaxy Velocity Function)

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-12

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

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Summary
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=> Very stable night with very good seeing. Observed many high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-008 P0 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-2-SCI-052 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic confirmation of high-redshift radio galaxy candidates)
2018-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Confirmation of exoplanet candidates)
2017-2-SCI-037 P1 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-1-SCI-045 P2 RSS (x2) (Measuring the H-beta line profiles of compact massive starbursts)
2018-1-MLT-013 P2 HRS (x2) (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (Central stars of mid-infrared nebulae discovered with Spitzer and WISE)
2018-1-SCI-029 P3 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies )

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-11

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others: Blaine, John B., Paul B., Lisa

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Summary
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=> High humidity prevent us from observations tonight. We observed only first couple of hours. All this time was used for the on-sky HRS commissioning observations with brand-new iodine cell.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (x3) (Confirmation of exoplanet candidates)

Friday, May 11, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-10

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others: Lisa

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Summary
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=> Clouds prevent us from doing anything except HRS observations. Clouds are developing and we were need to stop any observations soon after midnight.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-2-SCI-029 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)
2018-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (Central stars of mid-infrared nebulae discovered with Spitzer and WISE)
2018-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (Confirmation of exoplanet candidates)

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-09

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others: Blaine, John B., Paul B., Lisa

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Summary
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=> Very stable and nice weather with good seeing. Most of the night was used for the on-sky HRS commissioning observations with brand-new iodine cell. The rest of the night was used for the regular observations.

Science data taken for:
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-017 P2 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2018-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (Central stars of mid-infrared nebulae discovered with Spitzer and WISE)
2018-1-SCI-015 P3 HRS (x2) (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-08

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Blaine, John B., Paul B., Lisa, Freddy and Alexei

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Summary
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We opened a bit late due to strong winds, and had a very narrow window in which we took more commissioning data for the HRS-HS mode and one short science block before the relative humidity forced us to close.


Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-037 P2 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-07

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa, John B., Paul B.

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Summary
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Entire night lost to weather.
Took the opportunity to take *a lot * of calibration data and optimize the HRS-HS fiber alignment.


No science data taken.

Monday, May 7, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-06

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Keith, Paul Butler, John Booth, Lisa, Dougal.

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Summary
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Tonight we had some thin cloud most of the night, but the seeing was mostly <2" so it wasn't too bad. And we had our first on-sky HRS commissioning observation with our brand-new iodine cell!! :)



Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-009 P1 RSS (x2) (Variability of broad absorption lines)
2018-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (High resolution spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray binaries.)
2018-1-SCI-002 P2 RSS (Measuring Galaxy Kinematics For Construction of the Galaxy Velocity Function)
2018-1-SCI-017 P2 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2018-1-SCI-038 P2 HRS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-018 P3 HRS (A homogeneous sample of RR Lyrae)
2018-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (Central stars of mid-infrared nebulae discovered with Spitzer and WISE)
2018-1-SCI-029 P3 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies )

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-05

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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A very good night weather-wise, but a few technical problems prevented us from taking full advantage. The gremlins were back! :/


Science data taken for:
2018-1-DDT-001 P0 RSS (x2) (A new class of post-mass transfer binary stars)
2017-2-SCI-037 P1 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-1-SCI-038 P1 HRS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-017 P2 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2018-1-MLT-013 P2 HRS (x3) (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-1-SCI-015 P3 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-04

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Craig, John Booth, Lisa, Paul Butler at the beginning of the night.

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Summary
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Tonight we had fairly good weather, mostly clear but with some thin clouds passing by and decent seeing. We just had a few technical problems at the beginning of the night making us wonder when the gremlins had gotten into the telescope! ;)



Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-038 P1 RSS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2018-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (High resolution spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray binaries.)
2017-2-SCI-037 P1 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-1-SCI-009 P1 RSS (Variability of broad absorption lines)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-MLT-013 P2 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-1-SCI-017 P2 HRS (x3) (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2018-1-SCI-015 P3 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)

Friday, May 4, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-03

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Keith and Jean at the beginning. Linda, Kirsten and Busi for a visit.

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Summary
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A beautiful, clear night with decent seeing from beginning to end, marred only by a couple of teething problems with our new guide probes.


Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-1-SCI-026 P1 HRS (Binary and abundance studies of roAp star @dlhwp)
2018-1-SCI-015 P1 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (High resolution spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray binaries.)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-017 P2 HRS (x4) (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-02

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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A cloudy start to the night, which cleared up later but forced us to close just after midnight due to high relative humidity.



Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (High resolution spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray binaries.)
2018-1-SCI-017 P2 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x3) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Night Log 2018-05-01

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Itumeleng & Rajin, David de Bruyn, Encarni, Enrico

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Summary
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No science done tonight due to cloudy conditions.

No science data taken.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Night Log 2018-04-30

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Itumeleng (Driving first half of night), Rajin (Driving second half of night), Enrico, David de Bruyn

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Summary
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Clear Night with decent seeing and used productively for the final night of the semester 2017-2.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-010 P1 HRS (x6) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-2-DDT-004 P1 HRS (The transient ASASSN-18fv)
2017-2-SCI-014 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-2-SCI-038 P2 RSS (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2017-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2017-2-SCI-021 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic investigation of selected southern lambda Boo - type stars)
2017-2-SCI-029 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)
2017-2-SCI-020 P4 RSS (x4) (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)