Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-30

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Veronica, Bryne, Alexei

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Summary
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We had a very productive night with good seeing, clear skies and half the night was drier than the Sahara. And we managed to observe many high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-MLT-004 P0 RSS (Observations of white dwarf supernovae to be observed also with JWST.)
2023-2-MLT-002 P0 RSS (x2) (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2021-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x4) (Followup of Transients)
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 SCAM (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2024-1-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Probing the large scale gas flows in galaxies)
2024-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Tracing the behaviour of PSR B1259-63 around the 2024 periastron)
2024-1-SCI-024 P1 RSS (Monitoring a special sample of quasars showing large continuum variations in their spectra.)
2024-1-MLT-009 P1 RSS (Optical Spectroscopy of nearby Galaxies)
2024-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Study of the metallicity galaxies in voids)

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Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-29

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others:

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Summary
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Whole night lost due to bad weather - humidity.

No science data taken.

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Monday, July 29, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-28

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the whole night due to bad weather

No science data taken.

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Sunday, July 28, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-27

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Bryne

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Summary
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We lost the whole night due to bad weather

No science data taken.

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Saturday, July 27, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-26

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the whole night due to bad weather

No science data taken.

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Friday, July 26, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-25

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Bryne, Johan

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Summary
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We had a clear night, but with moments of variable seeing. We managed to observe a mix of high and low priority blocks.



Science data taken for:
2024-1-MLT-006 P1 HRS (Monitor the spectral emission lines of these Be binaries.)
2024-1-LSP-001 P1 None (x3) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)
2024-1-SCI-022 P1 RSS (Study of a giant radio galaxy candidate in the Zone of Avoidance)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2023-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (Spectra of RR Lyrae stars which will be used to determine the composition of the stars. )
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2022-2-MLT-002 P3 HRS (Follow-up of tight stellar quadruples)
2024-1-MLT-003 P3 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2024-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogueBuilding a new )
2023-2-MLT-005 P4 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)

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Thursday, July 25, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-24

SA: Moses
SO: Fred
Others: Anthony & Mike (for NIRWALS), Bryne

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Summary
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The seeing was good and we had nice clear skies tonight, and we managed to observe many high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-SCI-026 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic study of the intermediate-mass X-ray binary system, 4U 1210-64)
2024-1-SCI-034 P1 None (NIRWALS Observations of LIRGs and Starbursts)
2024-1-SCI-028 P1 None (Near-infrared spectra of Halpha in redshifted AGN)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (x5) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-1-SCI-010 P1 RSS (Spectroscopy of giant double-double radio galaxy )
2023-1-SCI-040 P2 HRS (Searching for variable metal lines in polluted white dwarfs)
2024-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2024-1-SCI-038 P2 HRS (Age-dating UMa and determining new moving group members)
2024-1-LSP-001 P3 None (x2) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)

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Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-23

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Fred & Moses (handover), Ant & E10 (NIRWALS)

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Summary
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We observed several mixed priority blocks tonight. The seeing was below average for most of the night and we struggled a little with IQ, eventually forcing us to align during the night. A few technical issues didn't detract from an otherwise productive night.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-SCI-026 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic study of the intermediate-mass X-ray binary system, 4U 1210-64)
2024-1-MLT-003 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2024-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Tracing the behaviour of PSR B1259-63 around the 2024 periastron)
2024-1-SCI-030 P1 RSS (Metallicity gradient of SN Ia host galaxy NGC 524.)
2024-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2023-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (x6) (SALT+Gaia survey of helium-rich hot subdwarfs)
2023-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (x2) (Spectra of RR Lyrae stars which will be used to determine the composition of the stars. )
2023-2-MLT-005 P4 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2023-2-LSP-001 P4 RSS (x4) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2024-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogueBuilding a new )

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Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-22

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Ros, Encarni

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Summary
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Lots of observations tonight, but limited to mostly lower priority blocks due to thin / thick cloud and a bright moon. The seeing was decent until the last few hours of the night. We used some time during the bad conditions to catch up on calibrations.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-SCI-026 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic study of the intermediate-mass X-ray binary system, 4U 1210-64)
2024-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Tracing the behaviour of PSR B1259-63 around the 2024 periastron)
2023-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (x4) (SALT+Gaia survey of helium-rich hot subdwarfs)
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2023-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (Spectra of RR Lyrae stars which will be used to determine the composition of the stars. )
2024-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (x6) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogueBuilding a new )
2024-1-SCI-007 P4 HRS (observing Ap stars)
2024-1-SCI-035 P4 HRS (Determination of temperatures and surface gravities of massive stars)
2024-1-MLT-007 P4 HRS (Long-term monitoring of the first known blue large-amplitude pulsator in a binary)
2019-1-MLT-008 P4 HRS (x2) (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)

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Monday, July 22, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-21

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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We had a great night on-sky after such a long period of bad weather, with almost 100% science time. Largely stable seeing, clear skies and a bright moon, allowed us to complete many blocks of mixed priority.

Science data taken for:
2021-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-LSP-001 P1 None (x2) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)
2024-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Tracing the behaviour of PSR B1259-63 around the 2024 periastron)
2024-1-SCI-012 P1 RSS (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2024-1-SCI-030 P1 RSS (Metallicity gradient of SN Ia host galaxy NGC 524.)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2023-1-MLT-007 P3 RSS (x5) (SALT+Gaia survey of helium-rich hot subdwarfs)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x5) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2023-1-SCI-023 P3 HRS (Spectra of RR Lyrae stars which will be used to determine the composition of the stars. )
2024-1-SCI-004 P4 HRS (x3) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogueBuilding a new )

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Sunday, July 21, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-20

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: E10 (for HRS)

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Summary
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Night lost to weather again.

No science data taken.

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Saturday, July 20, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-19

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Paul B, Wimpie (Network)

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Summary
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Entire night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

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Friday, July 19, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-18

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Malcolm

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Summary
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Night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

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Thursday, July 18, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-17

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa, Malcolm

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Summary
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Night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

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Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-16

SA: Danièl
SO: Shamin
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the whole night to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-15

SA: Danièl
SO: Shamin
Others:

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Summary
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We managed to open for the 1st time this week, albeit only for a few hours before thick clouds closed us again.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2023-1-SCI-040 P4 HRS (Searching for variable metal lines in polluted white dwarfs)

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Monday, July 15, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-14

SA: Danièl
SO: Shamin
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the entire night to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Sunday, July 14, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-13

SA: Danièl
SO: Shamin
Others: Bryne (HRS software), Timmy and Bryne (glycol alarm)

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Summary
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Lost the entire night to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Saturday, July 13, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-12

SA: Danièl
SO: Shamin
Others: Timmy (NIR glycol event)

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Summary
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Entire night lost to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Friday, July 12, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-11

SA: Danièl
SO: Shamin
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the whole night to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Thursday, July 11, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-10

SA: Danièl
SO: Shamin
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the whole night to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-09

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the whole night due to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-08

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Lost the whole night due to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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Monday, July 8, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-07

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo (remotely for RSS)

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Summary
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Lost the whole night due to bad weather

No science data taken.

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Sunday, July 7, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-06

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Only managed to take some standard and polarimetry test data before the wind caused us to close and remain closed for the rest of the night.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)

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Saturday, July 6, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-05

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo , Anthony (for RSS temp sensor question)

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Summary
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We had clear skies and managed to observe many high priority targets (including some P0s) until some thick clouds came by in the last hour of the night.

Science data taken for:
2021-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x3) (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (x2) (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2024-1-LSP-001 P1 None (x2) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Tracing the behaviour of PSR B1259-63 around the 2024 periastron)
2024-1-SCI-011 P3 RSS (x2) (Probing magnetic field strength of magnetic cataclysmic variables stars )

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Friday, July 5, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-04

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others: Wimpie (remotely)

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Summary
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We only managed to observe one block and then the bad weather rolled in and kept us closed for the rest of the night.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-SCI-026 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic study of the intermediate-mass X-ray binary system, 4U 1210-64)

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Thursday, July 4, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-03

SA: Moses
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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We lost the whole night due to bad weather

No science data taken.

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Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-02

SA: Antoine
SO: Veronica
Others: Moses for handover

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Summary
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We only observed 4 blocks before the humidity went above the safety limit.

Science data taken for:
2021-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-LSP-001 P1 None (x2) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)

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Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Night Log 2024-07-01

SA: Antoine
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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A full night of science.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-SCI-026 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic study of the intermediate-mass X-ray binary system, 4U 1210-64)
2021-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x9) (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-SCI-040 P1 RSS (Tracing the behaviour of PSR B1259-63 around the 2024 periastron)
2024-1-LSP-001 P1 None (x2) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2024-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)

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Monday, July 1, 2024

Night Log 2024-06-30

SA: Antoine
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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We lost most of the night due to the bad weather. But at the end of the night, we got some blocks.

Science data taken for:
2019-1-MLT-008 P2 HRS (x2) (HRS monitoring of yellow symbiotic systems)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)

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