Sunday, September 30, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-29

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others: Amanda, Hamish and students in the evening

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Summary
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=> Very stable night with low wind and low humidity. Unfortunately, seeing was moderate and sometimes started to be bad. Anyway, we observed many high priority blocks.


Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 RSS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended grav. microlensing event @CosmicRambler @_sublunar_)
2018-1-SCI-005 P1 RSS (Lyman alpha halo around high-z quasars)
2018-1-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Reverberation mapping of a low-z AGN)
2018-1-SCI-043 P1 SCAM (Shells around SMC noavae)
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-SCI-009 P2 RSS (Variability of broad absorption lines)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-1-SCI-045 P3 RSS (Measuring the H-beta line profiles of compact massive starbursts)
2018-1-SCI-008 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Friday, September 28, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-27

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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=> Night started with clear sky and good seeing changed to the strong wind and high humidity. We were need to close telescope earlier for that reason.

Science data taken for:
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2018-1-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2018-1-SCI-017 P4 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-26

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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=> The night with bright moon and mainly thin clouds. Were able to observe many high priority blocks. Unfortunately, some technical problems decreased our efficiency.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-026 P1 HRS (Binary and abundance studies of roAp star @dlhwp)
2016-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-024 P1 RSS (Time-resolved spectropolarimetry of Nova Scorpii 1437)
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-1-SCI-008 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-037 P3 RSS (x2) (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2018-1-SCI-016 P4 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
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)

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-25

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others:

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Summary
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No observation, all night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-24

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others: Petri and Minna for a visit

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Summary
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Alomst all night lost to weather. We managed to squeeze two blocks between two heavy patches of clouds.

Science data taken for:
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Monday, September 24, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-23

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others: Keith for focus

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Summary
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a productive night, but we lost 3.5h due to clouds.

Science data taken for:
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x4) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-1-SCI-008 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-037 P3 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2018-1-SCI-016 P4 HRS (x2) (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2017-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2017-1-MLT-006 P4 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the X-ray bright sgB[e] stars in Magellanic Clouds cc. @astro_Liz)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (x2) (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-22

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others: Patrick Woudt and guests

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Summary
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A fairly productive night, with good weather conditions.
Some technical issues prevented us from observing during the last hour of the night

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-015 P2 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-017 P4 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2018-1-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (x3) (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-21

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others:

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Summary
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A productive night, with good weather conditions and no technical issue

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2018-1-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
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)
2016-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-008 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-017 P3 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x3) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-1-SCI-037 P3 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (x2) (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Friday, September 21, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-20

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others:

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Summary
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A productive night, with good weather and little technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Reverberation mapping of a low-z AGN)
2018-1-SCI-043 P1 SCAM (Shells around SMC noavae)
2018-1-SCI-007 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2018-1-MLT-012 P2 HRS (Spectral monitoring of supposed Be+WD binaries)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (x2) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-1-SCI-037 P2 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2017-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-MLT-013 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-1-SCI-017 P3 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2017-1-MLT-006 P4 RSS (Monitoring the X-ray bright sgB[e] stars in Magellanic Clouds cc. @astro_Liz)

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-19

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others:

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Summary
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All night lost to weather.


No science data taken.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-18

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Fred and ��ric for handover

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Summary
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Entire night lost to rain and high humidity.

No science data taken.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-17

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Entire night lost to humid, windy and cloudy conditions.

No science data taken.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-16

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Fairly productive night of observing under thin clouds until high humidity put us out of action.

Science data taken for:
2017-2-MLT-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2018-1-SCI-043 P1 SCAM (x2) (Shells around SMC noavae)
2018-1-SCI-037 P3 RSS (x2) (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2017-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-15

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Patrick Woudt and second-year UCT astrophysics class

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Summary
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Fairly productive night with very little technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 HRS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended grav. microlensing event @CosmicRambler @_sublunar_)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2018-1-SCI-043 P1 SCAM (Shells around SMC noavae)
2018-1-SCI-020 P1 RSS (Searching for small-scale pairs of quasars and galaxies.)
2018-1-SCI-023 P1 RSS (Star-formation history and chemical evolution of low surface brightness dwarf galaxies)
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2018-1-MLT-014 P1 RSS (Probing the optical counterparts of high energy sources)
2018-1-SCI-038 P2 RSS (Exploring the chemistry of faint blue stars)
2016-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-005 P3 RSS (x2) (Lyman alpha halo around high-z quasars)

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-14

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Timmy, Paul, Jonathan, Richard working on etalon at start of the night

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Summary
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An evening frustrated by clouds and a few technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2018-1-MLT-012 P1 HRS (Spectral monitoring of supposed Be+WD binaries)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2018-1-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Reverberation mapping of a low-z AGN)
2018-1-SCI-022 P1 HRS (The extent of the circumgalactic medium at z ~ 3.7)
2017-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2018-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-007 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)

Friday, September 14, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-13

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Pran and first-year UCT students for a short while

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Summary
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Fairly productive evening with a number of high priority targets observed and little technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2018-1-SCI-023 P1 RSS (Star-formation history and chemical evolution of low surface brightness dwarf galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2018-1-MLT-013 P1 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-1-SCI-020 P1 RSS (x2) (Searching for small-scale pairs of quasars and galaxies.)
2018-1-SCI-022 P1 HRS (The extent of the circumgalactic medium at z ~ 3.7)
2018-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-037 P2 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2017-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-12

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa and Wanga (third year UCT astronomy student) visiting.

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Summary
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Whole night lost to high humidity.

No science data taken.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-11

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Itu (for handover)

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Summary
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A full night of observing with many high priority targets observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Physical paremeter determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2017-2-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (A dynamical study of a nearby merging )
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2018-1-SCI-022 P1 HRS (The extent of the circumgalactic medium at z ~ 3.7)
2018-1-SCI-019 P1 RSS (Searching for galaxies associated with strong Mg II absorbers)
2017-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2018-1-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Searching for small-scale pairs of quasars and galaxies.)
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)
2018-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-10

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Etienne (for slitmask)

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Summary
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A full night, with a few technical issues in between. Many high priority blocks completed tonight.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-022 P1 HRS (The extent of the circumgalactic medium at z ~ 3.7)
2018-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Physical paremeter determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2017-1-MLT-014 P1 RSS (Measuring redshifts for galaxies in the MeerKAT LADUMA survey)
2018-1-MLT-011 P1 RSS (The nature of the most extreme starburst galaxies )
2018-1-SCI-015 P1 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-1-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Searching for AGN undetected in X-ray surveys.)
2018-1-SCI-023 P1 RSS (x2) (Star-formation history and chemical evolution of low surface brightness dwarf galaxies)
2018-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-030 P2 SCAM (Search for ancient asteroid disruption trails)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2018-1-SCI-037 P3 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)

Monday, September 10, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-09

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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A few technical issues, but mostly good overall. Managed to get some high priority targets observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-006 P0 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-1-SCI-032 P1 RSS (x2) (Searching for AGN undetected in X-ray surveys.)
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2017-2-SCI-037 P1 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-1-MLT-011 P1 RSS (The nature of the most extreme starburst galaxies )
2018-1-MLT-014 P1 RSS (Probing the optical counterparts of high energy sources)
2018-1-SCI-037 P2 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2017-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2018-1-SCI-008 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-042 P3 RSS (Investigating star formation histories of galaxies on the 3D main sequence)

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-08

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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Managed to get one block observed before the humidity forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2017-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-07

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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Whole night lost to bad weather and snow.

No science data taken.

Friday, September 7, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-06

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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Whole night lost to bad weather.

No science data taken.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-05

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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Whole night lost to bad weather.

No science data taken.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-04

SA: Brent
SO: Veronica
Others: Keith, Etienne, Thabelo, Rudi, Johan, Thea

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Summary
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Tech problems with payload at start of night and only RSS observations possible. A few blocks observed before high humidity hit us around 23:30.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-SCI-037 P3 RSS (Reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei.)
2017-2-SCI-020 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-03

SA: Brent
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Lots of tech problems but managed to get quite a bit of data. Seeing worsened towards end of night as another cold front is on its way.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-020 P1 RSS (Searching for small-scale pairs of quasars and galaxies.)
2018-1-SCI-022 P1 HRS (The extent of the circumgalactic medium at z ~ 3.7)
2018-1-SCI-015 P1 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-1-SCI-023 P1 RSS (x2) (Star-formation history and chemical evolution of low surface brightness dwarf galaxies)
2018-1-SCI-007 P2 HRS (x2) (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2018-1-SCI-005 P2 RSS (Lyman alpha halo around high-z quasars)
2017-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-018 P3 HRS (A homogeneous sample of RR Lyrae)
2018-1-SCI-008 P3 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)

Monday, September 3, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-02

SA: Brent
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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No observations tonight due to bad weather.

No science data taken.

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Night Log 2018-09-01

SA: Brent
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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No observations tonight due to heavy clouds.

No science data taken.

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Night Log 2018-08-31

SA: Brent
SO: Veronica
Others: Taka and colleagues

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Summary
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A good night with thin cloud, but also more guider tech problems.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-DDT-006 P1 RSS (Monitoring the LBV LHA 115-S18; @astro_Liz)
2018-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Physical paremeter determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2017-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2018-1-SCI-015 P2 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-MLT-013 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-1-SCI-045 P3 RSS (Measuring the H-beta line profiles of compact massive starbursts)
2017-2-MLT-006 P3 HRS (Studying the composition of Binary stars to estimate their ages)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2017-2-SCI-042 P3 RSS (x2) (The central molecular zones of southern galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (x6) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-1-SCI-017 P3 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)