SALT Astronomy: 2019

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-30

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Ruby, Deneys, Anthony

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Summary
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Not a good night observing wise. Only managed to get 3 blocks before the weather forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-035 P3 RSS (Searching for AGN undetected in X-ray surveys. )
2019-2-SCI-024 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars in the LMC)
2018-1-MLT-003 P3 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)

Monday, December 30, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-29

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Deneys and Ruby

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Summary
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A good productive night with moderate seeing and some minor technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2019-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2019-1-SCI-014 P2 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2019-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2018-1-SCI-041 P2 RSS (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)
2019-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (x2) (SALT monitoring of luminous blue variables.)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-28

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Anthony and friends

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Summary
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Not a very productive night with the clouds taking a lot of the time away from us. We managed to get a few high priority blocks though.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x3) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-27

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Deneys, Ruby, Anthony and friends

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Summary
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A number of low priority targets were observed due to the extrmely bad seeing that at times was well over 8".

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (x2) (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-SCI-030 P3 RSS (Finding concealed accreting supermassive black holes.)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x4) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-2-SCI-004 P4 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)

Friday, December 27, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-26

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-25

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie

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Summary
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A relatively good night with a mix of priority blocks observed. The weather forced us to close about an hour early.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-2-MLT-005 P1 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2019-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (SALT monitoring of luminous blue variables.)

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-24

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Stephanie, Deneys, Ruby

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Summary
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A very good night with many high priority targets observed as well as a fat man in a red suit moving at extreme velocity.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-DDT-005 P0 RSS (Spectral observations of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-DDT-003 P1 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)
2018-2-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-002 P3 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-23

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Ruby, Deneys, Surita for a while.

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Summary
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What an amazing, beautiful night. Absolutely perfect, with crisp, stable images and no Moon. That's what observing is all about! :)

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-DDT-003 P1 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)
2019-2-SCI-044 P1 RSS (Redshift measurements of three Fermi-LAT BL Lac objects)
2019-2-SCI-015 P1 RSS (Searching for extended halos.)
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Monday, December 23, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-22

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Deneys and Ruby. Lisa at the beginning of the night to help with HRS shutter.

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Summary
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A warm, dark night with excellent seeing. Unfortunately the wind was very low and we had pretty bad internal seeing all night, so we couldn't take full advantage of the external conditions.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-DDT-005 P0 RSS (Spectral observations of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2019-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Understanding the galaxy-halo connection in brightest group galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-031 P2 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x3) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-21

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Deneys and Ruby

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Summary
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A clear night with mostly SE wind, leading to very variable (and often fairly horrible) seeing.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (x5) (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-20

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Deneys and Ruby

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Summary
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A beautiful clear night with Ok seeing.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-DDT-005 P0 RSS (Spectral observations of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2019-2-DDT-003 P1 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)
2019-2-SCI-002 P2 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2019-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (SALT monitoring of luminous blue variables.)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)

Friday, December 20, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-19

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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A very windy night with clear skies but not great seeing.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-016 P1 RSS (Probing the quasar outflows.)
2019-2-SCI-046 P1 RSS (Using MeerKAT and SALT to study the faint radio emission from quasars)
2019-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Understanding the galaxy-halo connection in brightest group galaxies)
2019-2-DDT-003 P1 HRS (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)
2019-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-18

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Most of the night lost to weather - we only managed a single observation before the weather forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-17

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Solohery (in driver's seat), Enrico, Encarni

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Summary
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Night lost due to weather.

No science data taken.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-16

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Solohery (in driver's seat), Enrico

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Summary
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Night with good seeing and thin cloud at the end.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-009 P0 HRS (x3) (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-2-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Understanding the galaxy-halo connection in brightest group galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-049 P2 HRS (Following the time evolution of poluted white dwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)

Monday, December 16, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-15

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Solohery (in driver's seat), Enrico

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Summary
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Clear night with horrible seeing.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (SALT monitoring of luminous blue variables.)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x4) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-14

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-13

Friday, December 13, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-12

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Solohery (in training), Enrico

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Summary
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Somewhat cloudy night put to good use for calibrations, but we nevertheless managed some time on-sky to do science.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Night Log 2019-12-11

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Solohery (in training), Enrico

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Summary
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Full night with thin cloud and average seeing. Obtained P0 observation added after midnight.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2018-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (x3) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x4) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Night Log 2019-12-10

SA: Dani��l
SO: Thea
Others: Marissa, Enrico, Solohery, Fred, David

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Summary
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We managed to complete two blocks before humidity and clouds closed us for the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (x2) (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (x2) (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)

Night Log 2019-12-09

Monday, December 9, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-08

SA: Dani��l
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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We managed to complete two blocks before humidity and clouds closed us for the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-07

SA: Dani��l
SO: Thea
Others: David

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Summary
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Clear evening with stable seeing, completed a number of blocks with varying priorities.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-031 P2 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-SCI-029 P3 RSS (Study of the hosts' properties of extremely luminous CCSNe)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2018-2-MLT-006 P3 RSS (x2) (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2019-2-SCI-041 P3 RSS (Exotic galaxies behind the Magellanic Clouds)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-06

SA: Dani��l
SO: Thea
Others: A snake and Eben (to catch said snake)

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Summary
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We had a snake visit us in the SALT control room tonight.
We had another full night with stable seeing and completed block of various priorities.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-DDT-001 P0 RSS (Observing a changing-look AGN that has just gone into outburst)
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-003 P2 RSS (Star formation histories in dusty, green-valley galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-002 P2 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2018-1-MLT-009 P3 HRS (Follow-up of interesting binaries and high-order multiple systems uncovered with the Gaia-ESO Survey)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (x2) (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)
2018-2-MLT-005 P4 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)

Friday, December 6, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-05

SA: Dani��l
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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Clear evening with stable seeing, completed a number of blocks with varying priorities.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (x2) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-2-SCI-032 P2 HRS (Magnetospheric accretion of V899 Mon)
2019-2-SCI-041 P3 RSS (Exotic galaxies behind the Magellanic Clouds)

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-03

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Daniel (for changeover), Richard, Alrin

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Summary
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Tonight we only managed a few blocks. The seeing was variable and at times not good, but most of the night was lost due to high humidity.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2019-2-SCI-030 P3 RSS (Finding concealed accreting supermassive black holes.)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-02

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Deneys, Chris and his partner, Matt Burleigh, Alesha Hogan

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Summary
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Productive evening, but there were thick clouds in middle part of the night. We managed to observe a mix of high and low priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-2-SCI-031 P2 HRS (x2) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-036 P3 RSS (Study of the hosts' properties of Tidal Disruption Events)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Monday, December 2, 2019

Night Log 2019-12-01

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Richard

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Summary
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There were thick around for most of the night so we mostly observed low priority targets, with a few medium priority targets at the start and end of the night when the clouds were thinner.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-003 P2 RSS (Star formation histories in dusty, green-valley galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-034 P2 RSS (Discovering white dwarfs as companions of Be stars in the Magellanic Clouds)
2019-2-SCI-002 P2 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-001 P4 HRS (SALT monitoring of luminous blue variables.)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-30

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Deneys

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Summary
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Managed to observe a few low priority blocks before the clouds came over. Lost the rest of the night to the weather.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-29

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Richard, Deneys

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Summary
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Despite a few technical problems we managed to observe high priority targets throughout the night thanks to the good seeing conditions.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-020 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2019-2-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Identifying Galaxies Associated with Intergalactic Oxygen )
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)

Friday, November 29, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-28

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Richard, Keith and the Vaisanen family

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Summary
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There were some techincal problems at the start of the night and thick clouds prevented us from doing any observations for the rest of the night.

No science data taken.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-27

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Elrin and Richard

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Summary
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Clear skies tonight, seeing was variable towards the middle and end of the night. Despite some techincal problems we managed to observe a good mix of high and low priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-046 P1 RSS (Using MeerKAT and SALT to study the faint radio emission from quasars)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-26

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others: Danielle and fred (start or night), Moses.

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Summary
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Very good night..2 P0's done and several high priority targets.. quite dry night..

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Identifying Galaxies Associated with Intergalactic Oxygen )
2018-2-SCI-020 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2019-2-SCI-044 P1 RSS (Redshift measurements of three Fermi-LAT BL Lac objects)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2019-1-MLT-008 P4 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (x2) (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-25

Monday, November 25, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-24

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Excellent night.. one P0 done..
several P1's done..
Life's wonderful :D

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-046 P1 RSS (Using MeerKAT and SALT to study the faint radio emission from quasars)
2019-2-SCI-049 P1 HRS (x2) (Following the time evolution of poluted white dwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-044 P1 RSS (Redshift measurements of three Fermi-LAT BL Lac objects)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-002 P1 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2019-1-MLT-002 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-23

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Seeing wasn't as good as yesterday. So, did mostly lower priority targets.
Humidity was quite high during the night..so had to keep an eye on weather.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-049 P1 HRS (x2) (Following the time evolution of poluted white dwarfs.)
2019-2-DDT-002 P2 HRS (Confirming black hole candidates in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (x3) (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x2) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-1-MLT-002 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-22

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Good observing night. 1 P0 target attempted and several high priority targets.
Kudos :D

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-2-SCI-002 P1 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2019-2-SCI-003 P1 RSS (Star formation histories in dusty, green-valley galaxies)
2019-1-SCI-014 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2019-2-DDT-002 P2 HRS (Confirming black hole candidates in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2019-1-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-1-MLT-002 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

Friday, November 22, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-21

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Good observing night. Lots of high priority targets done with one P0.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (x2) (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2019-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Understanding the galaxy-halo connection in brightest group galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-047 P1 RSS (Confirming green pea galaxies from the HSC survey)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-1-MLT-002 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-20

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall good night.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2019-1-SCI-014 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-024 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars in the LMC)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-18

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Another full night of observing with stable sub-arc seeing for most of the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-009 P0 HRS (x3) (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2019-2-SCI-034 P2 RSS (Discovering white dwarfs as companions of Be stars in the Magellanic Clouds)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)

Monday, November 18, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-17

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The seeing was all over the place tonight, we got readings as high as 6" and below 1".
We completed several blocks of mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-049 P1 HRS (Following the time evolution of poluted white dwarfs.)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2019-2-SCI-012 P3 HRS (The secondary star of the HD 74423 system)
2019-2-SCI-030 P3 RSS (x3) (Finding concealed accreting supermassive black holes.)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (x2) (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x2) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-16

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others: Pieter, Carel and engineers from IUCAA

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Managed to get a few blocks observed before the humidity forced us to close early.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-15

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Got a full night of observing in and observed blocks of mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-049 P1 HRS (Following the time evolution of poluted white dwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2019-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Variability of the unusual young and cool star UNSW-V760)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x4) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Friday, November 15, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-14

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others: Keith

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Almost a full night of observing in fairly stable conditions. High humidity forced us to close an hour before the end of the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (x2) (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-13

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Managed to get a few blocks observed before the humidity forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x4) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-12

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Richard, Daniel (for handover)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Managed to get a few blocks observed before the humidity forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-11

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Richard

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

A productive night with a variety of priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x3) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-2-SCI-006 P2 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x2) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)

Monday, November 11, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-10

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Richard, Mark (at the start of the night)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

No observations tonight due to bad weather conditions.

No science data taken.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-09

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

We managed to get a few blocks observed before the clouds came rolling in.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-019 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of new roAp stars)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (x3) (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Night Log 2019-11-09

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-08

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Almost a full night of observing in fairly poor conditions. Clouds and high humidity forced us to close a few hours before the end of the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-019 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of new roAp stars)
2019-2-SCI-006 P4 HRS (x3) (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Friday, November 8, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-07

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Richard

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

We managed to observe a few blocks before we were forced to close due to high humidity.

Science data taken for:
2016-1-COM-009 P0 RSS (August-2016 shutdown engineering and re-commissioning tests)
2019-2-DDT-001 P0 RSS (Observing a changing-look AGN that has just gone into outburst)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-028 P1 RSS (X-ray binaries within supernova remnants)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-019 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of new roAp stars)

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-06

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Only managed two blocks before the bad seeing and bad weather conditions forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Night Log 2019-11-06

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Only managed two blocks before the bad seeing and bad weather conditions forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-05

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Rudi (handover), Enrico

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

A mix of conditions.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2019-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2019-2-SCI-040 P1 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2019-2-SCI-006 P2 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-04

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Enrico

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dodging clouds tonight to get some science done.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-019 P1 HRS (Spectroscopy of new roAp stars)
2019-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Understanding the galaxy-halo connection in brightest group galaxies)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-SCI-048 P3 HRS (Asteroseismology of close binary systems with mass transfer.)
2019-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

Monday, November 4, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-03

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Enrico

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thin cloud and variable seeing tonight.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-019 P1 HRS (Spectroscopy of new roAp stars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2019-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Studing nova shells)
2019-2-SCI-046 P1 RSS (x3) (Using MeerKAT and SALT to study the faint radio emission from quasars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (x3) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-041 P2 RSS (Exotic galaxies behind the Magellanic Clouds)

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-02

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Enrico

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thin clouds and haziness all night long, but we could still do high priority science and observed a ToO which was submitted just before midnight.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-004 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Study of the resolved kinematics and star formation in nearby MIGHTEE HI galaxies)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (x4) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-2-SCI-019 P1 HRS (Spectroscopy of new roAp stars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-2-SCI-041 P1 RSS (Exotic galaxies behind the Magellanic Clouds)
2019-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Studing nova shells)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Night Log 2019-11-01

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Enrico

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

First night of semester 2019-2.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Studing nova shells)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-SCI-014 P1 RSS (x4) (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-2-SCI-046 P1 RSS (Using MeerKAT and SALT to study the faint radio emission from quasars)
2019-2-SCI-030 P3 RSS (Finding concealed accreting supermassive black holes.)
2019-2-SCI-011 P4 HRS (Long term programme: searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere)

Friday, November 1, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-31

SA: Marissa
SO: Thea
Others: Enrico (driving)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Final night of semester 2019-1.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-041 P1 RSS (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-1-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Studing nova shells and jets)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-SCI-030 P2 RSS (Searching for AGN undetected in X-ray surveys. )
2019-1-SCI-038 P2 SCAM (x2) (Shells around SMC novae)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-30

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-29

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Stephen H, Sunny Boy. Etienne to help with the slitmask.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Beautiful clear night at last!!! Unfortunately lost some time to a technical problem with RSS, but the rest of the night was just perfect. :)

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-014 P1 RSS (Probing the optical counterparts of high energy sources)
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2018-2-SCI-020 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-28

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Alrin, Thabelo, E10, Mark for the tracker. Stephen H.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Entire night lost to rain, sleet and high humidity.

No science data taken.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-26

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Stephen H.

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Some thin cloud tonight with patches of sub-arcsecond seeing. The humidity forced us to close at 22:35, but it dropped again at around 1am. Then we struggled with cloud for the rest of the night.

Science data taken for:
2016-1-COM-009 P0 RSS (August-2016 shutdown engineering and re-commissioning tests)
2019-1-SCI-025 P1 RSS (x2) (Studing nova shells and jets)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-1-SCI-030 P2 RSS (Searching for AGN undetected in X-ray surveys. )
2018-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2019-1-SCI-036 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Night Log 2019-10-26

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-25

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Stephen H.

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The night started very cloudy, then the clouds went away and we had beautiful clear skies with decent seeing, until the humidity forced us to close at 1:30am.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-1-SCI-041 P2 RSS (x2) (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-002 P4 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)

Friday, October 25, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-24

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Stephen H. Etienne to help with the SALTICAM fold mirror. Janus over the phone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Entire night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-23

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Hannah (

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Nearly the entire night lost to cloud. We only managed to open briefly for a quick observation.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-22

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Jessymol (in training). Enrico, Jaco Brink, Fred, Stephen H, Thabang, Mark, Eben, Timmy, Thabelo, Ettiene

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Most of the night lost to weather but the second half was put to good use for high priority observations.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-GWE-005 P0 RSS (S190923y candidate)
2019-1-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Studing nova shells and jets)
2019-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)

Monday, October 21, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-20

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-18

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Jessymol (in training), Enrico

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clear night with variable seeing.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-1-SCI-018 P1 RSS (Looking for extened Lyman alpha halos around quasars)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (x2) (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-1-SCI-038 P2 SCAM (x3) (Shells around SMC novae)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)

Friday, October 18, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-17

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Jessymol (in training), Enrico, Waanie

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Night lost to weather, but used the time for closed-dome calibrations.

No science data taken.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-16

SA: Marissa
SO: Veronica
Others: Jessymol (in training), Enrico, Waanie, Keith, Lisa, Hannah

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Night cut short by thick clouds in the early morning.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-15

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Jessymol, Marissa, Enrico

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

A fairly productive night with moderate to good conditions and a variety of priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (x2) (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x7) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-14

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others: Keith

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Summary
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A productive night with some bad seeing and clouds for some parts of it. Mostly low priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x5) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x5) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)

Monday, October 14, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-13

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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A full night observing only low priority targets with the bright moon.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2019-1-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigation of variability of absorption lines due to ISM towards vela SNR. )
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (x4) (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x8) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-036 P4 HRS (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)
2019-1-SCI-002 P4 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-12

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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Another productive night with mostly low priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x5) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x4) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-11

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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A productive night, although mostly low priority targets observed. No downtime at all tonight.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (x6) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x4) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Friday, October 11, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-10

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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A relatively good night with various priority blocks observed in moderate seeing conditions.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-09

SA: Rudi
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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Managed to get only two blocks observed before the weather forced us to close.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-08

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others: Rudi

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

One P0 done and the rest mainly P2's and P4's.
The night became humid around 3:30 am and couldn't observe after that.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-SCI-009 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2019-1-SCI-038 P2 SCAM (Shells around SMC novae)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars around the blue supergiant MN18)

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-07

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Good night..2 P0 targets done.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-MLT-004 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-SCI-030 P2 RSS (Searching for AGN undetected in X-ray surveys. )
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2019-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (Probing the nature of TeV and neutrino candidate blazars)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Monday, October 7, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-06

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Got several high priority targets but no P0's.
The average seeing was ~ 2, not as good as the previous days.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2019-1-SCI-018 P2 RSS (x2) (Looking for extened Lyman alpha halos around quasars)
2019-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-05

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Was overall a good night.. had some technical problems at start but was solved and observations were resumed. We had a couple of high priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-018 P1 RSS (Looking for extened Lyman alpha halos around quasars)
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2018-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2019-1-SCI-014 P2 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2019-1-SCI-039 P2 RSS (The Formation of Compact Stellar Systems)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-04

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Another great observing night with 4 P0 targets done, including one Gravitational Wave event. One P0 had to be cut short due to technical issues. But the rest were well received.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (x2) (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-GWE-005 P0 RSS (S190923y candidate)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Studing nova shells and jets)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-SCI-037 P2 RSS (The role of nitrogen in pre-white dwarf pulsations)
2018-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-MLT-008 P4 RSS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)

Friday, October 4, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-03

SA: Rajeev
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Was my first independent observing night at SALT and enjoyed it very much..It was a dream-come-true moment for me :D

It was overall a good night. 3 P0 targets attempted successfully and 3 P1's.
The rest P2's, P3's and P4's.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-004 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2019-1-SCI-010 P1 HRS (x3) (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-SCI-037 P2 RSS (The role of nitrogen in pre-white dwarf pulsations)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (x2) (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-02

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Night Log 2019-10-01

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Rajeev (for changeover), Petr Fatka

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Summary
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Night was affected by thick clouds in the middle and towards the end of the night. Seeing was reasonable for most of the evening and we managed to observe a mix of high and low priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2019-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-SCI-019 P2 RSS (Probing the outflows from quasars)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2019-1-SCI-026 P3 RSS (Characterising the UV emission in hyperluminous, dust-obscured quasars)
2019-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (x2) (Probing the nature of TeV and neutrino candidate blazars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-30

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Richard

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Summary
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Only managed to complete one observation before humidity closed us for the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-DDT-004 P0 HRS (Studies of new heart-beating star)

Monday, September 30, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-29

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-28

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-27

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Helge (journalist)

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Summary
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Good observing conditions - very productive night where we managed to observe almost only high priority targets (P0s and P1s). This includes a Gravitational Wave Event candidate and a DDT observation.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-GWE-005 P0 RSS (S190923y candidate)
2019-1-DDT-004 P0 HRS (Studies of new heart-beating star)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x6) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (x2) (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-SCI-036 P4 HRS (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)

Friday, September 27, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-26

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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Summary
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A good, clear and smooth evening. We managed to observe many high priority targets (6 P0s) like a few supernovae, exoplanet host systems, milli-second pulsars and Brightest Cluster Galaxy; and a few low priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 RSS (x3) (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-004 P2 RSS (x3) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2019-1-SCI-019 P3 RSS (Probing the outflows from quasars)
2019-1-MLT-008 P4 RSS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-1-SCI-002 P4 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-25

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others: Etienne (to check out the RSS filter magazine)

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Summary
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Bumpy evening with RSS and HRS problems, but the seeing was good and we had clear skies throughout the evening so we managed a good mix of high priority targets (including 3 P0s) and low priority ones.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 RSS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-SCI-010 P1 HRS (x2) (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-24

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Short night. Managed to observe two P0s ( a microlensing block and a changing look AGN in an X-ray outburst) before having to close due to bad weather conditions : wind, humidity and clouds. Humidity stayed high for the rest of the night.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 RSS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended grav. microlensing event @CosmicRambler @_sublunar_)
2019-1-DDT-003 P0 RSS (Observing a changing-look AGN that has just gone into outburst)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-23

SA: Petri
SO: Veronica
Others: Minna, Ben

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

A perfect stable, clear, dark night with absolutely great seeing
resulted in a bumper crop of high priority observations of the
challenging kind. No problems costing time whatsoever.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-003 P1 RSS (Nuclei of two dwarf galaxies in different environments)
2018-2-SCI-020 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2019-1-SCI-018 P1 RSS (Looking for extened Lyman alpha halos around quasars)
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (x2) (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x3) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-1-COM-001 P1 SCAM (Burst-mirror throughput test )
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)

Monday, September 23, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-22

SA: Petri
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

After two high-priority observation at the start of the night, humidity went too high.
It annoyingly stayed just the bad side of the limit for the rest of the otherwise
clear night ..

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-21

SA: Petri
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Nearly all night lost to high humidity and clouds. Just a couple of short observations
taken in the beginning. Closed dome calibrations done.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-20

SA: Petri
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa in the beginning, Etienne on phone later

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Good night with great seeing, started off with cirrus but cleared soon. In addition
to a large selection of science, did some high priority on-sky engineering tests.

Science data taken for:
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2019-1-COM-003 P1 RSS (x4) (Tests of scattered light in RSS)
2019-1-SCI-018 P1 RSS (x2) (Looking for extened Lyman alpha halos around quasars)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-032 P3 RSS (x2) (Confirmation and investigation of radio loud X-AGNs)
2019-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (Probing the nature of TeV and neutrino candidate blazars)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)

Friday, September 20, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-19

SA: Petri
SO: Veronica
Others: Timmy, Mark, Keith for SPS nearly all night

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thin cloud, and got a couple of observations in, but then unfortunately were
hampered by a technical issue on the primary mirror

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-007 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-18

SA: Petri
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa, Felicity, Duncan

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thin and thick clouds all night. Observed through most of it, although
mostly using lower priority targets. Used some engineering testing time
as well.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-038 P2 SCAM (x2) (Shells around SMC novae)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (x3) (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x4) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-036 P4 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)
2019-1-MLT-006 P4 HRS (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-17

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others: Keith (for auto-collimator), Mark, Petri (for handover)

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clouds created a bit of a challenge for observing tonight but we managed to observe numerous block with mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x7) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2019-1-SCI-002 P4 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-16

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others: Keith, Encarni, (via phone), Mark, Timmy

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The night was clear with a few high priority targets observed. The seeing was quite stable through the night.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-2-MLT-007 P3 HRS (x5) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Monday, September 16, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-15

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others: Mark (for HRS)

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The night was clear with a few high priority targets observed. The seeing was quite stable through the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-SCI-039 P1 RSS (The Formation of Compact Stellar Systems)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (x4) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-1-SCI-020 P3 RSS (Following fast-moving stars found by Gaia. @_sublunar_ @kenjshen)
2018-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x4) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-036 P4 HRS (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-14

SA: Dani��l
SO: Veronica
Others: Mark & Timothy

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Closed early due to thick clouds, however we managed to observe a few blocks of mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-004 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2019-1-SCI-002 P4 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-13

SA: Rosalind
SO: Veronica
Others: Mark via phone

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

We mostly did lower priority blocks due to poor seeing, clouds and a bright moon, and we closed early due to the clouds. We had trouble with RSS tonight so were limited to HRS.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars around the blue supergiant MN18)
2019-1-SCI-036 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-10

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Solohery at the controls, Alexei for handover

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Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Night started partly cloudy. We closed before midnight due to weather. We observed few P4 and one P0 (DDT).

Science data taken for:
2019-1-DDT-003 P0 RSS (Observing a changing-look AGN that has just gone into outburst)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-09

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Solohery at the controls

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Summary
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Night started with clear sky followed by some cloud from 02h:00 towards morning. We observed 13 blocks of mixed priority including P0.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-007 P2 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of candidate massive stars around the blue supergiant MN18)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x4) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-SCI-021 P4 RSS (Monitoring LBVs; @astro_Liz)

Monday, September 9, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-08

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Solohery at the controls

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Summary
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Clear and smooth night with average seeing. We have done 17 blocks of mixed P2-P4. Noticed few mirror segments out.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (Probing the nature of TeV and neutrino candidate blazars)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x3) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-007 P3 HRS (x3) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-019 P3 RSS (Probing the outflows from quasars)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x5) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2019-1-SCI-036 P4 HRS (Spectroscopy of TESS targets)

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-07

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Solohery at the controls

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Summary
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Clear night with moderate seeing. We struggled with mirror leading to bad image quality and had a few minor technical issues. We finished 12 blocks with various priority.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-010 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2019-1-SCI-019 P2 RSS (Probing the outflows from quasars)
2019-1-SCI-018 P2 RSS (Looking for extened Lyman alpha halos around quasars)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-SCI-030 P3 RSS (Searching for AGN undetected in X-ray surveys. )
2019-1-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-06

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Solohery in training

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Summary
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A productive clear night with moderate seeing. We completed 16 blocks of mixed priority.

Science data taken for:
2017-2-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Galaxy pairs in the Hubble Frontier Fields)
2019-1-SCI-024 P1 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2019-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2019-1-SCI-038 P1 SCAM (Shells around SMC novae)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2019-1-SCI-008 P3 HRS (Monitoring metals in white dwarfs)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x5) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2019-1-SCI-009 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of four candidate post-binary interaction products)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

Friday, September 6, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-05

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Solohery in training

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Summary
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We did a few blocks in bad seeing at the start of the night, but most of the night was lost to ridge cloud.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x5) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Night Log 2019-09-04

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Solohery

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Summary
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Most of the night was lost to thick clouds and high humidity. We managed two short blocks before closing.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-MLT-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)