Night Log 2020-12-30

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A relatively good night. We had sub-arcsecond seeing for the first few hours. A few minor technical problems encountered.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x3) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-2-MLT-003 P3 HRS (Follow-up of rare SB4 discovered in Gaia-ESO, GALAH and APOGEE)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x2) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-SCI-042 P4 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-29

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> One more stable night with bright moon and good-to-moderate seeing. Many blocks of different priorities were observed

Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-009 P1 HRS (Looking for exocomets around Beta Pictoris with SALT)
2020-2-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-2-MLT-006 P3 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (x2) (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)
2020-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (x5) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-28

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> One more night with bright moon, stable weather conditions and good and moderate seeing. Many blocks was observed, but most of them are low priority

Science data taken for:
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-030 P3 RSS (Identifying which heluum-rich hot subdwarfs are binaries)
2020-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2020-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-2-SCI-037 P3 HRS (Mangetospheric accretion in V899 Mon)
2020-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-27

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> Night with bright moon, and with seeing changing from good to awful. Many low priority blocks were obtained for this reason.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-012 P1 HRS (Tracing the temperature evolution of the central stars of planetary nebulae.)
2020-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x4) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-MLT-006 P3 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (x7) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-26

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> Nice stable weather with good seeing, but we have many technical issues. 13 blocks of different priorities were observed anyway.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-009 P1 RSS (Metallicity of SN sites)
2020-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (x2) (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x4) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)
2020-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-25

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> Another nice and stable night with very good seeing. We lost some time with technical problems but were observed 12 tracks of different priorities.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-004 P1 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (x2) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-MLT-007 P3 HRS (HRS observations of a high mass binary system.)
2020-2-SCI-018 P3 HRS (Understanding the nucloesynthesis of heavy elements)
2020-1-MLT-003 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2020-2-MLT-003 P3 HRS (x2) (Follow-up of rare SB4 discovered in Gaia-ESO, GALAH and APOGEE)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-24

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> Very stable night with very good seeing. Only high priority block were observed.

=> Santa was detected flying into direction of Cape Town at about 23:58

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-2-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Confirming the nature of faint Green pea galaxies from the Subaru Hyper Suprime-cam Survey)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2020-2-SCI-014 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing the quasar outflows.)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (x3) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (x2) (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2020-2-SCI-040 P2 RSS (Redshift measurements of BL Lacs for the CTA project)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-23

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> Nice night with very good seeing. We were closed by humidity by one hour before twilight. Observed eight blocks in total. All blocks have high priority.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-DDT-001 P0 HRS (Monitoring of V838 Mon, a stellar merger remnant)
2019-2-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Unveiling the structure of the Vela supercluster behind the Zone of Avoidance)
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-1-MLT-007 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-22

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Alexei for handover, Richard by phone for the mirror

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

A productive clear night with fairly good seeing to end an enjoyable week of Summer observing. We completed 11 blocks, mostly of high priority. Wishing everyone a good festive season and a happy new year!

Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-009 P1 HRS (Looking for exocomets around Beta Pictoris with SALT)
2020-2-SCI-009 P1 RSS (Metallicity of SN sites)
2020-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (Study of the properties of green valley galaxies with high star formation rates)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-014 P2 RSS (Probing the quasar outflows.)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-21

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Entire night lost to thick cloud cover.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-20

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Thick clouds prevented us from observing tonight. We opened a couple of times but only managed one low short block.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-MLT-003 P3 HRS (Follow-up of rare SB4 discovered in Gaia-ESO, GALAH and APOGEE)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-19

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others:

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

A good night of observing, with good steady seeing for most of the night, worsening over the last 2 hours. We completed 9 blocks, including a P0 and 2 MOS blocks, and lost a little time to the tracker and a brief mirror burst.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-007 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Confirming the nature of faint Green pea galaxies from the Subaru Hyper Suprime-cam Survey)
2019-2-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Unveiling the structure of the Vela supercluster behind the Zone of Avoidance)
2020-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Study of extraplanar diffuse ionized gas in moderately inclined galaxies.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2020-2-SCI-023 P2 RSS (Probing the environment inside Extreme Emission Line Dwarf Galaxies)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-18

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Deneys, Keith by phone

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

We struggled with numerous tracker errors tonight, but managed to complete 6 blocks of mixed priority. The seeing was very variable.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Local Volume as a benchmark of the near-field cosmology: study the most isolated galaxy population)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-2-SCI-011 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-MLT-003 P3 HRS (Follow-up of rare SB4 discovered in Gaia-ESO, GALAH and APOGEE)
2020-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-17

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Deneys, Nico by phone

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

A clear dark night with more variable seeing, leading to a mix of different priority blocks being observed. We had some as yet unsolved tracker errors causing downtime towards the end of the night.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Unveiling the structure of the Vela supercluster behind the Zone of Avoidance)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic monitoring of candidate white dwarf + Be star binaries.)
2020-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Local Volume as a benchmark of the near-field cosmology: study the most isolated galaxy population)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-MLT-003 P3 HRS (Follow-up of rare SB4 discovered in Gaia-ESO, GALAH and APOGEE)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-16

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others:

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

A smooth and productive clear night with fairly good, stable seeing.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Confirming the nature of faint Green pea galaxies from the Subaru Hyper Suprime-cam Survey)
2020-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Study of extraplanar diffuse ionized gas in moderately inclined galaxies.)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-1-MLT-006 P1 RSS (Measuring the halos of super spirals)
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2019-2-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Unveiling the structure of the Vela supercluster behind the Zone of Avoidance)
2020-2-SCI-031 P2 RSS (Spectroscopy of ultra-diffuse galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-036 P2 RSS (Spectropolarimetry of Be/X-ray binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-15

SA: Danièl
SO: Fred
Others: Nico (FIF guider test)

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

Another productive night, although the seeing was less than stable we did manage to complete a few blocks of various priorities.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-038 P1 RSS (The SAGA Survey)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2020-1-DDT-009 P1 HRS (Looking for exocomets around Beta Pictoris with SALT)
2020-1-MLT-007 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Local Volume as a benchmark of the near-field cosmology: study the most isolated galaxy population)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2020-2-SCI-040 P2 RSS (Redshift measurements of BL Lacs for the CTA project)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-14

SA: Danièl
SO: Fred
Others: Keith (pointing model)

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

We had a productive night, completing 10 blocks before humidity closed us about 2 hours before twilight starts.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-038 P1 RSS (The SAGA Survey)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (x3) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2019-2-SCI-049 P3 HRS (Following the time evolution of polluted white dwarfs.)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-13

SA: Danièl
SO: Fred
Others:

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

Productive night with stable seeing in the 2nd half of the night. We managed to complete 10 blocks of mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)
2020-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-010 P2 HRS (Studies of heartbeating stars)
2020-2-SCI-011 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-MLT-006 P3 RSS (x2) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-12

SA: Danièl
SO: Fred
Others:

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

Humidity increased early in the night, closing us just before 10 pm, but we did manage to observe a P0.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-11

SA: Danièl
SO: Fred
Others:

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

The clouds kept us closed for the night, but we used the 1st part of the night to run some closed dome tests.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-10

SA: Danièl
SO: Fred
Others: Jonathan (glycol leak)

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

We had productive night with variable seeing, and managed to complete a P0.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-015 P0 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidates)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-09

SA: Danièl
SO: Fred
Others: Thabelo (for PDET), Encarni (for slotmode)

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

Thick clouds and humidity kept us closed for the evening.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-08

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Keith

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

An excellent clear, dark and stable night to end my week. Much needed after the network issues! We observed 9 blocks, all of which were high priority.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)
2020-1-DDT-009 P1 HRS (Looking for exocomets around Beta Pictoris with SALT)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2020-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-07

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

The network prevented us from observing until around 11pm SAST. We observed some high priority blocks with mostly good seeing, before thin cloud became thick, forcing us to close.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-MLT-007 P3 HRS (HRS observations of a high mass binary system.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-06

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Night lost to network, followed by high humidity and cloud,

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-05

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Encarni, Deneys

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

A roller-coaster night with network problems and terrible seeing preventing us from completing many observations. However, we managed to do 4 blocks, one of which a high priority ToO, with some perseverance. Thanks Encarni and Deneys for your help.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-MLT-003 P3 HRS (Follow-up of rare SB4 discovered in Gaia-ESO, GALAH and APOGEE)
2020-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-04

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We battled through bad and variable seeing until around midnight, completing some high priority blocks. A triple blow shortly after midnight was too much for us to continue: The seeing went from bad to terrible, we suffered a fibre outage and were finally closed by weather.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-MLT-009 P1 HRS (Spectroscopic monitoring of candidate white dwarf + Be star binaries.)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-011 P2 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-03

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Nico, Janus, Richard

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

A clear night with below average and variable seeing for most of the time. Both high and low priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-MLT-009 P1 HRS (Spectroscopic monitoring of candidate white dwarf + Be star binaries.)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x2) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-2-SCI-037 P3 HRS (Mangetospheric accretion in V899 Mon)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-MLT-006 P3 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-02

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A clear and stable night with mostly good seeing and a small amount of time lost to problems. We observed 10 blocks of a mix of priorities.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-009 P1 RSS (Metallicity of SN sites)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
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)
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-12-01

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Entire night lost to high relative humidity.


No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-30

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others:

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

A good clear night with mostly stable seeing. Managed to take 5 P0 (highest priority) blocks tonight - must be a record! :)




Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-015 P0 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidates)
2020-1-MLT-007 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-DDT-009 P1 HRS (Looking for exocomets around Beta Pictoris with SALT)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (x2) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-030 P2 RSS (x2) (Identifying which heluum-rich hot subdwarfs are binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-29

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others:

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

Beautiful clear night, with full Moon and mostly good seeing and trouble-free.


Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-015 P0 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidates)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (x2) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-28

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Nico and Eben at the beginning of the night to check on TimDimm

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

A clear night with variable seeing - we were forced to close at midnight when the relative humidity went over our limit.



Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x2) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-27

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others:

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

The first half of the night we battled with cirrus in nearly full Moon and with awful seeing, but it cleared and the seeing settled down for the second half.

22:54 - 23:27 = 33min eng



Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (x3) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-MLT-007 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-26

SA: Encarni
SO: Fred
Others: Nico helping with TimDimm. Richard a few times.

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

Clear skies but very variable (read mostly horrible) seeing tonight, hovering close to our humidity limits. A few technical problems at the beginning of the night, and we lost RSS half way through due to a jammed slit that required visual inspection on the tracker - we thought we'd be closing soon to humidity, so we decided to do without RSS and not stop observing.




Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-DDT-009 P1 HRS (Looking for exocomets around Beta Pictoris with SALT)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-2-MLT-003 P3 HRS (Follow-up of rare SB4 discovered in Gaia-ESO, GALAH and APOGEE)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)
2020-2-SCI-042 P4 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)
2020-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-25

SA: Encarni
SO: Thea
Others: Nico and Veronica to diagnose TimDimm.

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

An excellent start to my week, with beautiful clear skies, good seeing and a nearly trouble-free night.


Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (x5) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (x2) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-MLT-009 P1 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic monitoring of candidate white dwarf + Be star binaries.)
2020-2-SCI-025 P2 RSS (Searching for silicate emitting AGN similar to SAGE0536AGN and SAGE0534AGN)
2020-2-SCI-036 P2 RSS (Spectropolarimetry of Be/X-ray binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-24

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: E10

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

Attempted a few blocks at the start of the night but ended up losing the whole night due to weather.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-23

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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

We lost the entire night due to a combo of cloud cover and high humidity.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-22

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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

The night was dominated by bad weather. But in between the cloud cover and high humidity at the start and end of the night, we had clear sky and great seeing and were able to observe 3 high priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Unveiling the structure of the Vela supercluster behind the Zone of Avoidance)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-21

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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

The night was dominated by lots of thick clouds passing over so we only managed to observe a few low priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-010 P2 HRS (Studies of heartbeating stars)
2020-2-MLT-006 P3 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)
2020-1-MLT-003 P4 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (x3) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)
2018-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-20

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Productive night where we observed many medium to high priority blocks despite thick clouds coming in during the middle of the night.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-MLT-009 P1 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic monitoring of candidate white dwarf + Be star binaries.)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (x3) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2019-2-SCI-049 P2 HRS (Following the time evolution of polluted white dwarfs.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-19

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: E10 (remotely)

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

Mostly clear night where we observed quite a few high priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-2-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Unveiling the structure of the Vela supercluster behind the Zone of Avoidance)
2020-1-DDT-009 P1 HRS (Looking for exocomets around Beta Pictoris with SALT)
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-18

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: E10 (Remotely)

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

Lost the entire night due to bad weather.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-17

SA: Danièl
SO: Thea
Others: Richard, Timmy and Ant (for PCON), Moses (for handover)

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

We lost the whole night to weather.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-16

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We lost the whole night to weather.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-15

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We managed to observe a few blocks until humidity closed us just after midnight.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-SCI-030 P3 RSS (Identifying which heluum-rich hot subdwarfs are binaries)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-14

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Lost the whole night to weather, clouds were too thick to open.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-13

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Nico (for timdimm)

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

We managed to complete a few blocks until thick clouds closed us early for the night.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-049 P2 HRS (Following the time evolution of polluted white dwarfs.)
2020-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Local Volume as a benchmark of the near-field cosmology: study the most isolated galaxy population)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-12

SA: Rosalind
SO: Veronica
Others: Stephen and Encarni, Nico and Keith for TimDimm

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

A good clear night of observing, with moderate seeing allowing us to do 8 high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-2-SCI-019 P1 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2020-2-SCI-029 P1 RSS (A study of the kinematics, ISM and stellar properties of MHONGOOSE galaxies.)
2020-2-SCI-023 P1 RSS (Probing the environment inside Extreme Emission Line Dwarf Galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-004 P1 HRS (Observations of new roAp stars @dlhwp)
2020-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Monitoring the spectropolarimetric behavior of blazars)
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)
2020-1-MLT-006 P1 RSS (Measuring the halos of super spirals)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-11

SA: Rosalind
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo for RSS, Timmy for cable wrap

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

We had an RSS detector error tonight, which we haven't seen for a long time. We used HRS for most of the night and completed some high priority blocks with clear skies before the seeing worsened. Very bad seeing in the second half and a cable wrap error to close out the night.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-MLT-009 P1 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopic monitoring of candidate white dwarf + Be star binaries.)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (x2) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Study of extraplanar diffuse ionized gas in moderately inclined galaxies.)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-10

SA: Rosalind
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

The night was cut short by high humidity. We completed a few high priority blocks in the clear conditions before that with variable, moderate seeing.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-030 P1 RSS (Identifying which heluum-rich hot subdwarfs are binaries)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-09

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Night with moderate and bad seeing and rising humidity. Were closed by humidity finally. Some high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-SCI-023 P1 RSS (Probing the environment inside Extreme Emission Line Dwarf Galaxies)
2020-2-SCI-029 P1 RSS (A study of the kinematics, ISM and stellar properties of MHONGOOSE galaxies.)
2020-2-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Searching for silicate emitting AGN similar to SAGE0536AGN and SAGE0534AGN)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (x2) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-08

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Entire night lost to weather, with clouds and high humidity.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-07

SA: Enrico
SO: Thea
Others:

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

The whole night blown away by inclement weather.

"Well, what tongue does the wind talk? What nationality is a storm? What country do rains come from?" - Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-06

SA: Enrico
SO: Thea
Others:

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

The whole night was forfeited to see-sawing clouds, humidity and eventually light rain.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-05

SA: Enrico
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Whole night consumed by gloomy humid overcast conditions.

"Our mind is like a cloudy sky: In essence clear and pure, but overcast by clouds of delusions. Just as the thickest clouds can disperse, so, too, even the heaviest delusions can be removed from our mind." - Kelsang Gyatso

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-04

SA: Enrico
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Whole night lost to overcast conditions.
"There was a star riding through clouds one night, and I said to the star, 'Consume me'." - Virginia Woolf, The Waves

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-03

SA: Enrico
SO: Thea
Others: Stephen H

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

Battled through some thick cloud during the first part of the night leading to quite a few low priority observations. Second part of the night gradually improved and we were able to rally some higher priority observations despite occasional fast moving thinner cloud clumps. A sneak assault by some thicker clouds towards the end of the night forced some more lower priority observations. All in all we were able to muster 16 blocks with only minor technical downtime experienced.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-030 P1 RSS (Identifying which heluum-rich hot subdwarfs are binaries)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (x2) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (x2) (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2020-2-SCI-037 P3 HRS (Mangetospheric accretion in V899 Mon)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-2-SCI-011 P3 HRS (Measuring the orbits of double white dwarfs. @_sublunar_)
2020-2-SCI-007 P4 HRS (x3) (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)
2020-2-SCI-008 P4 HRS (x2) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-02

SA: Lee
SO: Thea
Others: Deneys & Stephen for HRS and GPP tests, Keith for RSS

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

A productive night with good seeing to begin and then some average seeing and thin cloud later on. Some RSS grating issues lost us a little time. A total of 16 blocks of a mix of priorities observed.

Science data taken for:
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (x2) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-030 P2 RSS (x4) (Identifying which heluum-rich hot subdwarfs are binaries)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-049 P2 HRS (Following the time evolution of polluted white dwarfs.)
2020-2-MLT-006 P3 RSS (x6) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-11-01

SA: Lee
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Very good conditions and very little downtime on the first night of the 2020-2 semester. A string of P1s completed.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (x7) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-2-SCI-042 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (x2) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-31

SA: Lee
SO: Thea
Others:

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

The fibre to Sutherland was down the entire night. We managed to limp along on the backup connection and completed some high priority blocks in the second half of the night, before being closed by humidity slightly before twilight.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-SCI-032 P2 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-30

SA: Lee
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Night started off well with some good seeing, then the humidity picked up and brought some terrible seeing with it. Unfortunately this was before we managed to observe the P0. A handful of low priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (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)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2020-1-SCI-022 P3 RSS (Study of the hosts' properties of Tidal Disruption Events)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-SCI-013 P3 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-29

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Deneys, Stephen H & Encarni for GPP tests

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

Night cut short by high humidity. A couple of higher priority blocks managed alongside some guider pre-positioning tests. Thanks Stephen and Deneys!

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-28

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Entire night lost to bad weather.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-27

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Ros, Lisa, Mpati, Xola and Evelyn (SO interviewees)

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

The fibre link between Cape Town and Sutherland was still down at the beginning of the night. SALT Astronomer Ros, who was at SALT conducting interviews for a new Operator, got started with the observations until Veronica and Encarni were finally able to connect (albeit through a still very slow network) at around midnight. The network was finally restored at 1am. Had a few technical issues and some thin cloud tonight.


Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2020-1-SCI-004 P2 RSS (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-26

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Beautiful clear night. Unfortunately, lost most of it to the network link between Sutherland and Cape Town going down.


Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-019 P1 HRS (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-25

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Cloudy until about 1:45am, then slowly clearing but humidity creeping up until it forced us to close about 10 mins early.


Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-013 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-1-SCI-021 P4 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-24

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: E10 for the tracker.

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

A lovely clear night with good seeing. Some technical problems with the tracker, but it was mostly smooth sailing.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-007 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-SCI-013 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2020-1-SCI-032 P2 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2019-2-SCI-049 P3 HRS (Following the time evolution of polluted white dwarfs.)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-23

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Very nice and stable night with sub-arcsecond seeing from time to time. Many high priority blocks were observed. Some calibrations were also done during twilight time.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-007 P0 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x2) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-22

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Very bad weather with low humidity but heavy clouds. Lost all night due to weather. Some time was used for calibrations and tests.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-21

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Night with moderate seeing and technical problems. Some blocks were observed but technical issues closed us finally.

Science data taken for:
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-MLT-009 P3 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2020-1-SCI-022 P3 RSS (Study of the hosts' properties of Tidal Disruption Events)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-20

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Stable night with good seeing. Many blocks were observed. No any technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-034 P1 RSS (SAGA Survey)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (x2) (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2020-1-SCI-010 P2 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x4) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-SCI-038 P3 RSS (Rutgers TAC discretionary time)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-19

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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

=> Good seeing, some clouds and rising humidity. Finally, we were closed by humidity, but some high priority blocks were observed.


Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-037 P0 HRS (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x6) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-18

SA: Rudi
SO: Fred
Others: Alexei (for handover)

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

A relatively good night, with some clouds in the middle of the night that stopped us for a short while.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-022 P2 RSS (Study of the hosts' properties of Tidal Disruption Events)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-SCI-013 P3 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-SCI-010 P3 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2020-1-SCI-021 P4 HRS (x2) (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-17

SA: Rudi
SO: Fred
Others:

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

Another good stable night with some thin clouds at times.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-1-SCI-041 P2 RSS (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)
2020-1-SCI-010 P2 RSS (x2) (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2019-1-MLT-003 P3 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2020-1-SCI-026 P3 HRS (Constraining the nature of massive stellar winds)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-16

SA: Rudi
SO: Fred
Others:

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

A really good night with stable seeing conditions and no technical downtime. Managed to observe an important P0 as well as other high priority targets.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-037 P0 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)
2019-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Optical spectroscopy of multi-phase gas detected in H-alpha and MeerKAT HI observations of Fornax A)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2020-1-SCI-010 P2 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2020-1-SCI-019 P2 HRS (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-15

SA: Rudi
SO: Fred
Others:

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

The night started relatively well, but the seeing just got worse and worse from midnight onward and at times was > 5". This resulted in many lower priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Redshift measurements of BL Lac objects for the CTA project)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x4) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2020-1-SCI-021 P4 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-MLT-002 P4 HRS (x2) (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-14

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Thabelo (to check the glycol)

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

Good night with many high priority targets observed, including many P0s.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-DDT-008 P0 HRS (Setting the stage for studies of a new young exoplanet)
2020-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2019-1-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x2) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-1-SCI-037 P4 HRS (x3) (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-13

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Danièl (for Throughput), Stephen H (for Guider Prepositioning)

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

A good night's observing with mostly high priority blocks completed, along with a Throughput test and Guider Pre-positioning tests.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-1-SCI-041 P1 RSS (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)
2020-1-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Redshift measurements of BL Lac objects for the CTA project)
2020-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2020-1-SCI-004 P2 RSS (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-12

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Richard (to help with SCAM)

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

Tonight we observed a good mix of high and low priority blocks despite clouds hanging around for most of the night.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-008 P0 HRS (Setting the stage for studies of a new young exoplanet)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 HRS (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)
2020-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Study of extraplanar diffuse ionized gas in moderately inclined galaxies.)
2020-1-SCI-004 P2 RSS (Population study of stellar rotation rates in open clusters)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-1-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-SCI-021 P4 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-SCI-001 P4 RSS (Measuring the properites of giant stars in close binaries that may eventually merge and explode.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-11

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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

We had a decent night's observing and despite the poor seeing throughout most of the night we observed a wide mix of targets.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-037 P0 HRS (RV Followup of TESS Planet Candidate)
2020-1-SCI-013 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2020-1-SCI-032 P2 HRS (Global parameters of massive stars)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-SCI-011 P3 RSS (Probing the quasar outflows.)
2020-1-SCI-038 P3 RSS (Rutgers TAC discretionary time)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-10

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Only managed to observe a few medium to high priority blocks before high humidity and cloud cover closed us for the night.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-008 P0 HRS (Setting the stage for studies of a new young exoplanet)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-09

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Did not open due to clouds and high humidity.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-08

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Richard, Keith

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

Only two blocks observed with lots of technical downtime and bad weather to boot.

Science data taken for:
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-07

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A relatively stable night with good conditions. A mix of priorities observed including the last chance for a P0.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 HRS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended gravitational microlensing event in the Milky Way)
2019-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (Searching for multiple supermassive black holes in a single galaxy)
2020-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Study of extraplanar diffuse ionized gas in moderately inclined galaxies.)
2020-1-SCI-019 P2 RSS (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2019-1-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-1-MLT-007 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-SCI-019 P2 HRS (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-06

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo, Timmy

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

Lost some time to technical problems at the start of the night, but managed to observe a number of blocks on an unstable night.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-MLT-003 P2 HRS (Spectroscopic observations of central stars of mid-infrared nebulae)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (x2) (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2020-1-SCI-019 P2 HRS (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2020-1-SCI-019 P2 RSS (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2020-1-SCI-026 P3 HRS (x2) (Constraining the nature of massive stellar winds)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-05

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A relatively good night with a range of priorities observed. Started off well, but seeing worsened towards the end.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 RSS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended gravitational microlensing event in the Milky Way)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-SCI-019 P1 HRS (x2) (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x2) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2020-1-SCI-021 P4 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2019-1-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-04

SA: Danièl
SO: Thea
Others: Deneys (for HRS)

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

We had a full night of observations and completed numerous blocks with various priorities, including a P0.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (x3) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x9) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2020-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (Probing the binarity of a sample of galactic proto-planetary nebulae)
2019-1-MLT-003 P3 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (x2) (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-03

SA: Danièl
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Entire night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-02

SA: Danièl
SO: Thea
Others:

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

We lost the entire night to weather.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-10-01

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Danièl for polarimetry tests

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

No data taken tonight - rainy weather in Sutherland.

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-30

SA: Rosalind
SO: Thea
Others: Danièl for polarimetry tests

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

We managed to observe a few low priority blocks through the clouds, with fairly good seeing, before closing for weather. The night was nevertheless put to good use for calibrations.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (x2) (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-MLT-002 P4 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (x2) (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)
2020-1-SCI-014 P4 HRS (x2) (Searching for new chemically peculiar stars in the southern hemisphere.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-29

SA: Rosalind
SO: Veronica
Others: Encarni, Keith, Moses for twilight tests

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

A good clear, bright night of observing. The seeing was good and stable for the latter half of the night. We observed 15 blocks with a mix of priorities.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-MLT-002 P2 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (x3) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-1-SCI-041 P2 RSS (Confirmation and redshift determination of galaxy clusters.)
2020-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x2) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (x2) (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (Probing the binarity of a sample of galactic proto-planetary nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-28

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Another good bright moon night with a few minor issues here and there. We lost the last hour of the night to weather, but observed several blocks of mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 RSS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended gravitational microlensing event in the Milky Way)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (x2) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-1-SCI-007 P3 HRS (Observations os new roAp stars)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-27

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

An excellent night of weather with mostly very good seeing. We even hit 0.7" at one point! Despite being bright time, we managed to observe several high priority blocks and 15 blocks in total.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 RSS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended gravitational microlensing event in the Milky Way)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (x2) (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 HRS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (Probing the binarity of a sample of galactic proto-planetary nebulae)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2020-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (x2) (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-26

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We managed to squeeze in two high priority blocks before weather forced us to close for the night.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-25

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Entire night lost to weather

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-24

SA: Lee
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Lovely clear night with average seeing and no technical downtime. A mix of high and low priority targets were observed.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2020-1-SCI-013 P2 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (x3) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)
2019-1-MLT-003 P3 RSS (x2) (A SALT survey of chemically-peculiar hot subdwarfs.)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x5) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-23

SA: Encarni
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Beautiful clear night, essentially trouble-free! :)


Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-007 P0 HRS (Radial velocity monitoring of a potential B star and black hole binary )
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2020-1-SCI-013 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-1-MLT-007 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x7) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-SCI-026 P3 HRS (Constraining the nature of massive stellar winds)
2018-2-LSP-001 P3 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-22

SA: Encarni
SO: Thea
Others:

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

A clear night with mostly good seeing. Unfortunately, we had a network fiber breakage and we couldn't connect to Sutherland until about 2am.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-007 P0 HRS (Radial velocity monitoring of a potential B star and black hole binary )
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2019-2-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-21

SA: Encarni
SO: Thea
Others: Deneys to check on HRS. Paul and E10 working on the tracker.

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

Unfortunately, we lost the entire night due to a problem with the tracker. :(


No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-20

SA: Encarni
SO: Thea
Others: Sunnyboy and Deneys to help with HRS.

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

Most of the night was lost to clouds and high humidity, with a few network and technical problems. Hopefully it will be much better tomorrow!



Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-19

SA: Encarni
SO: Veronica
Others: Sunnyboy to help with the tracker.

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

A good clear night with good seeing which we didn't fully appreciate as our primary mirror is undergoing some adjustments and our image quality wasn't as good as usual. We also had a couple of technical problems.


Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-007 P0 HRS (Radial velocity monitoring of a potential B star and black hole binary )
2020-1-SCI-016 P1 RSS (x2) (Confirming green pea galaxies from the HSC survey)
2020-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Probing the quasar outflows.)
2019-1-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (x4) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-2-SCI-006 P3 HRS (Investigating the multiplicity of WR stars)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-18

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Some time from the evening was used by day-team to finish the fix of SALTICAM shutter. The rest of the time was used for observations of the high-priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Tracing the evolution of the most massive galaxies in the universe)
2020-1-SCI-013 P1 RSS (Finding young stars and their planets)
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (x2) (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-17

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Stable dark night with moderate seeing. Technical problems limited us with types of observations. Anyway, many different blocks were done.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-DDT-007 P0 HRS (Radial velocity monitoring of a potential B star and black hole binary )
2020-1-SCI-019 P1 HRS (Monitoring an intriguing class of luminous binary stars)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-1-MLT-009 P2 HRS (Monitoring the spectral variation of white dwarf with massive Be type companions)
2019-2-SCI-049 P2 HRS (x2) (Following the time evolution of polluted white dwarfs.)
2020-1-SCI-007 P3 HRS (Observations os new roAp stars)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2019-2-SCI-031 P4 HRS (Study of RV Tauri stars without a circumbinary disc.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-16

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Unstable night with high humidity. Were closed after two hours of observations.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-012 P0 HRS (Studying the spectral evolution of a blended gravitational microlensing event in the Milky Way)
2019-2-MLT-004 P2 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2020-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (x2) (Probing the binarity of a sample of galactic proto-planetary nebulae)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-15

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

=> Very unstable night with strong variations of humidity. Closed once and opened again.
Some technical problems as well. Anyway, some high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-007 P0 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2020-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2019-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (x2) (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-14

SA: Alexei
SO: Thea
Others:

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

=> Dark night with rising humidity and unstable seeing. Were closed after two hours of observations, but were able to open later. Were closed again by humidity in one hour before twilight. Some high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-007 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2020-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (Galaxies responsible for ultrastrong MgII absorption.)
2020-1-MLT-002 P1 HRS (HRS study of long-period eclipsing binaries)
2020-1-MLT-001 P1 RSS (M-sigma relation for a low mass AGNs)
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x2) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-13

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Danièl (beamsplitter flexure calibrations)

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

Lost the whole night due to bad weather

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-12

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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

Lost the whole night due to bad weather

No science data taken.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Log 2020-09-11

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: E10 (remotely)

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

We only managed a to observe a few low to medium priority targets due to thick clouds present for most of the night.


Science data taken for:
2020-1-MLT-008 P2 RSS (x3) (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2020-1-SCI-026 P3 HRS (Constraining the nature of massive stellar winds)
2020-1-SCI-021 P3 HRS (Constraining stellar parameters of Galactic and SMC massive binaries)
2020-1-SCI-012 P4 HRS (x2) (Chemically peculiar Am stars observed by TESS satellite on the southern sky.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------