Night Log 2025-12-01

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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=> The observation night began with a field of solid clouds illuminated by a bright moon. Therefore, there were no observations for the first two hours. Then the clouds cleared, and the second half of the night was spent observing in clear weather with good image quality. Mostly high-priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (x2) (Investigation of activity among main-belt objects)
2025-2-MLT-012 P2 HRS (Search for binary stars which may form planetary nebulae.)
2025-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (x2) (Two transiting TESS triple planet systems composed of super-Earths involved in two-body 3:2 MMRs.)
2025-2-MLT-010 P2 HRS (SA-China Exoplanet Collaboration PASTA)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-2-MLT-001 P4 HRS (Toward a complete census of void galaxy properties in the Local Volume)

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Night Log 2025-11-30

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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=> Very nice stable night with vary good seeing and bright moon. Many high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-2-MLT-006 P1 HRS (HRS observations of a high mass binary system.)
2025-2-SCI-018 P2 RSS (Near-infrared (and one optical) spectra of AGN)
2025-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Radial Velocity Monitoring and Atmospheric Parameters Study of Yellow Symbiotic Giants)
2025-2-SCI-026 P2 RSS (What galaxies cause odd radio circles (ORCs)?)
2025-2-SCI-035 P2 RSS (Study of a sample of high redshift radio sources at z>3)
2025-2-SCI-031 P3 RSS (Redshifts of candidate TeV blazars)
2025-2-LSP-003 P3 RSS (x2) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-2-MLT-001 P4 HRS (Toward a complete census of void galaxy properties in the Local Volume)

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Night Log 2025-11-29

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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=> Short observational night with high humidity. Only three blocks were observed before we were closed.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-018 P2 RSS (Near-infrared (and one optical) spectra of AGN)
2025-2-MLT-008 P2 HRS (Monitoring beta Pic for exocomets.)
2025-2-LSP-003 P3 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)

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Night Log 2025-11-28

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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=> The clouds, illuminated by the moon, prevented us from starting our observations in the evening. Then the clouds cleared, and we observed for the rest of the night. Most of the observed blocks had high priority.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-MLT-007 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic monitoring of a unique red (?) supergiant in the LMC)
2025-2-SCI-031 P2 RSS (x3) (Redshifts of candidate TeV blazars)
2025-2-SCI-035 P2 RSS (Study of a sample of high redshift radio sources at z>3)
2025-2-SCI-026 P2 RSS (What galaxies cause odd radio circles (ORCs)?)
2025-2-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Cosmic dance of massive triple)

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Night Log 2025-11-27

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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=> Unstable night with rising humidity and very bad seeing. Only few blocks were observed and only two of them are high priority blocks. Some technical issues as well.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-MLT-007 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic monitoring of a unique red (?) supergiant in the LMC)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (observations of ssrAp stars)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-11-26

SA: Alexei
SO: Veronica
Others: Etienne to help with SALTICAM fold mirror

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Summary
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=> Clear night with moderate seeing. Unfortunately, technical problems led to the observations being halted after midnight. Nevertheless, we managed to observe the DDT block.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-DDT-001 P0 RSS (Spectropolarimetry of NGC 1346 following its recent optical transition)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (x2) (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)

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Night Log 2025-11-25

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: JC, E10, Sunnyboy, Iriwaan and Michael

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Summary
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A full night of observing. Very little technical downtime.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-MLT-011 P1 RSS (x2) (Obtaining dynamical information and constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-2-SCI-027 P2 HRS (detached eclipsing binaries for PLATO mission)
2025-2-LSP-003 P2 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-2-SCI-006 P2 HRS (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-2-MLT-013 P3 RSS (Searching for double hydrogen-deficient stars)
2025-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (observations of ssrAp stars)
2024-2-LSP-002 P4 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)

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Night Log 2025-11-24

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: JC, Devakshan, Chrey and Nico and Michael

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Summary
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We had clear skies and stable seeing and we were able to observe 8 blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-2-MLT-011 P1 RSS (Obtaining dynamical information and constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-2-SCI-006 P2 HRS (x2) (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2025-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Uncovering the nature of new X-ray objects discovered in the Magellanic system with eROSITA)
2025-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS ("Understanding the peculiar collision geometry of the Cartwheel system")

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Night Log 2025-11-23

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: JC is driving the telescope tonight.

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Summary
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The conditions were bad at the start of the night (Too cloudy and Strong winds), but we managed to observe 4 blocks before the high humidity forced us to close the telescope.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-MLT-011 P0 RSS (x2) (Obtaining dynamical information and constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Uncovering the nature of new X-ray objects discovered in the Magellanic system with eROSITA)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)

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Night Log 2025-11-22

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: JC

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Summary
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We fought against the clouds, but they won, and we could only complete two blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS ("Understanding the peculiar collision geometry of the Cartwheel system")
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)

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Night Log 2025-11-21

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: JC

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

Good weather and good seeing allowed us to complete several blocks tonight.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-MLT-011 P0 RSS (Obtaining dynamical information and constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-2-MLT-008 P2 HRS (Monitoring beta Pic for exocomets.)
2025-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Uncovering the nature of new X-ray objects discovered in the Magellanic system with eROSITA)
2024-2-SCI-025 P2 HRS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2025-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (IFU observations of nearby MHONGOOSE galaxies)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)

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Night Log 2025-11-20

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others:

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

Another full night of observing. Good seeing allowed us to observe many high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-MLT-011 P0 RSS (Obtaining dynamical information and constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-2-SCI-039 P1 RSS (Optical and near-infrared IFU observations of nearby starbursts and LIRGs)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-2-LSP-003 P2 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (IFU observations of nearby MHONGOOSE galaxies)
2025-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Uncovering the nature of new X-ray objects discovered in the Magellanic system with eROSITA)
2025-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Two transiting TESS triple planet systems composed of super-Earths involved in two-body 3:2 MMRs.)

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Night Log 2025-11-19

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others:

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

A full night of observing. There was some technical downtime, but we managed to observe high-priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (x2) (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2025-2-SCI-021 P1 RSS (x2) (Investigation of activity among main-belt objects)
2025-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (x2) (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2024-2-MLT-006 P1 HRS (HRS observations of a high mass binary system.)
2025-2-MLT-013 P3 RSS (Searching for double hydrogen-deficient stars)

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Night Log 2025-11-18

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Antoine, Austun, JC

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Summary
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Another (almost) full night of observing. Good seeing at the start of the night allowed us to observe some high priority blocks. Rising humidity and bad seeing forced to observe lower priority blocks for the last part of the night. Some weather downtime due to the bad seeing conditions and technical downtime due to the fold mirror.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-GWE-001 P0 RSS (Follow-up of GW counterpart candidates)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (x2) (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2024-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)
2025-2-SCI-022 P4 RSS (x2) (Artificial intelligence identification of extragalactic sources)

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Night Log 2025-11-17

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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We had almost everything tonight. Thin cloud at the start, thicker cloud after that. Bad seeing at the start of the night and good seeing towards the end of the night. Some technical problems too. Still we managed to get some high priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2025-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (x2) (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2024-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2024-2-SCI-025 P2 RSS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-2-SCI-004 P4 HRS (observations of ssrAp stars)

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Night Log 2025-11-16

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A full night of observing. Good conditions for the first half of the night allowed us to observe high priority blocks. Poor seeing conditions in the second half of the night forced us to observe lower priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-GWE-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Follow-up of GW counterpart candidates)
2025-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (x2) (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2025-2-SCI-006 P2 HRS (x3) (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2024-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-2-SCI-022 P4 RSS (Artificial intelligence identification of extragalactic sources)

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Night Log 2025-11-15

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A relatively good night with moderate seeing. Mostly high priority blocks observed. Clouds and high humidity forced us to close early.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-GWE-001 P0 RSS (Follow-up of GW counterpart candidates)
2025-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (x3) (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (x2) (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)

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Night Log 2025-11-14

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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Thick cloud kept us closed all night.

No science data taken.

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Night Log 2025-11-13

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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Summary
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A full night of observing. A large number of high priority blocks observed. Very little technical downtime.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-GWE-001 P0 RSS (x4) (Follow-up of GW counterpart candidates)
2025-2-MLT-009 P1 RSS (Spectroscopy of ultra-diffuse galaxies)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2025-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2025-2-MLT-010 P2 HRS (SA-China Exoplanet Collaboration PASTA)
2025-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2025-2-SCI-027 P2 HRS (detached eclipsing binaries for PLATO mission)
2025-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Two transiting TESS triple planet systems composed of super-Earths involved in two-body 3:2 MMRs.)

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Night Log 2025-11-12

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A full night of observing with some high level clouds for most of the night. Very little technical downtime. Mostly high priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-009 P1 HRS (High resolution spectrocopy of Type II Cepheids)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (x3) (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2025-2-SCI-019 P2 RSS (Probing CGM Response to Quasar Variability)
2024-2-SCI-025 P2 RSS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2025-2-SCI-031 P2 RSS (x2) (Redshifts of candidate TeV blazars)

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Night Log 2025-11-11

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Antoine (for SMI), Rudi, Anthony, Michael, Etienne, Jean

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Summary
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After a troublesome mirror alignment we had a very smooth evening to end the week, with good stable seeing and clear skies, and we managed to observe many high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-035 P1 RSS (Study of a sample of high redshift radio sources at z>3)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2025-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS (x2) ("Understanding the peculiar collision geometry of the Cartwheel system")
2025-2-SCI-031 P2 RSS (Redshifts of candidate TeV blazars)
2025-2-SCI-018 P2 RSS (Near-infrared (and one optical) spectra of AGN)
2024-2-SCI-025 P2 RSS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)

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Night Log 2025-11-10

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Rudi, SALT Board members + other visitors

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Summary
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We had a very productive night with mostly clear skies and great seeing, and we managed to observe many high priority blocks while the Board was watching.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-LSP-002 P1 NIR (x2) (Reverberation mapping of high-z quasars )
2025-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2025-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (x3) (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2025-2-SCI-017 P1 RSS ("Understanding the peculiar collision geometry of the Cartwheel system")
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-2-SCI-018 P2 RSS (Near-infrared (and one optical) spectra of AGN)
2025-2-MLT-013 P3 RSS (Searching for double hydrogen-deficient stars)

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Night Log 2025-11-09

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Irina, Visitors, DSI Deputy Minister

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Summary
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Most of the night was lost due to thick clouds or high humidity, but we managed a couple of blocks even got a little sub-arcsecond seeing observing towards the end.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-019 P1 RSS (Probing CGM Response to Quasar Variability)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)

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Night Log 2025-11-08

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Etienne, Eben, Ros, + Many Visitors

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Summary
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We had mostly clearly skies and great seeing for most of the night and we managed to observe many high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-016 P0 HRS (Observing rare and fast transients.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-2-SCI-032 P1 RSS (Low resolution spectra of blue, low-mass galaxies to determine redshifts/velocities)
2025-2-SCI-035 P1 RSS (Study of a sample of high redshift radio sources at z>3)
2025-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring Lithium abundances in UMa candidate stars)
2025-2-MLT-007 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic monitoring of a unique red (?) supergiant in the LMC)
2025-2-SCI-031 P2 RSS (Redshifts of candidate TeV blazars)
2025-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Two transiting TESS triple planet systems composed of super-Earths involved in two-body 3:2 MMRs.)
2025-2-LSP-003 P2 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-11-07

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Anthony (for NCON), Devakshan (for Mirror), Etienne, Lisa, Jon, Daniel H, LFC team

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Summary
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We fought valiantly against the weather but it won and we only managed 2 blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Cosmic dance of massive triple)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-11-06

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Lisa, Daniel H, LFC team

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

We managed to do a few blocks at the start of the night, but the seeing got bad in the middle and then humidity went up and caused us to close early.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (x4) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-11-05

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Eben, Lisa, Daniel H, LFC team

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

The conditions were good at the start of the night and we managed to observe many blocks but as the night went on the seeing got worse and the night was cut short by high humidity.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-MLT-010 P1 HRS (SA-China Exoplanet Collaboration PASTA)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-SCI-025 P2 RSS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2020-1-MLT-008 P4 RSS (Obtaining redshifts for G4Jy sources - the brightest radio galaxies in the southern sky)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-11-04

SA: Antoine
SO: Fred
Others: Moses, Lisa, Daniel, Nomzamo and John

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

We had a mostly clear night with reasonable seeing and we observed many blocks until an unexpected rise in the humidity closed us.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-MLT-010 P2 HRS (SA-China Exoplanet Collaboration PASTA)
2025-2-SCI-009 P2 HRS (High resolution spectrocopy of Type II Cepheids)
2025-2-SCI-027 P3 HRS (detached eclipsing binaries for PLATO mission)
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2025-2-MLT-013 P3 RSS (x2) (Searching for double hydrogen-deficient stars)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-2-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Cosmic dance of massive triple)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-11-03

SA: Antoine
SO: Fred
Others:

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

We had clear skies and stable seeing and we were able to observe many blocks of mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2025-2-SCI-011 P2 HRS (delta Scuti Ap stars)
2024-2-MLT-006 P2 HRS (HRS observations of a high mass binary system.)
2025-2-MLT-010 P2 HRS (SA-China Exoplanet Collaboration PASTA)
2025-2-SCI-027 P2 HRS (detached eclipsing binaries for PLATO mission)
2025-2-MLT-012 P2 HRS (x2) (Search for binary stars which may form planetary nebulae.)
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)

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Night Log 2025-11-02

SA: Antoine
SO: Fred
Others: Eben and Michael (for tracker error)

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

A full night of observing. We had some Technical problems but the rest of the night went well with many blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-009 P1 HRS (x3) (High resolution spectrocopy of Type II Cepheids)
2025-2-SCI-011 P2 HRS (x2) (delta Scuti Ap stars)
2024-2-SCI-025 P2 RSS (x3) (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2025-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (Two transiting TESS triple planet systems composed of super-Earths involved in two-body 3:2 MMRs.)
2025-2-MLT-013 P3 RSS (Searching for double hydrogen-deficient stars)
2024-2-MLT-001 P3 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-2-LSP-001 P4 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-11-01

SA: Antoine
SO: Fred
Others:

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

Humidity forced us to close after observing only two blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-2-SCI-026 P1 RSS (What galaxies cause odd radio circles (ORCs)?)
2025-2-MLT-010 P1 HRS (SA-China Exoplanet Collaboration PASTA)

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Night Log 2025-10-31

SA: Antoine
SO: Fred
Others:

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

The night began with strong winds; we were able to open and complete a few blocks before humidity forced us to close again.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (x4) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-029 P1 RSS (Spectroscopy of infrared-luminous galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-10-30

SA: Antoine
SO: Fred
Others:

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

We dealt with variable cloud cover in the first part of the night, but observed some blocks in the second part with good, stable seeing.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Determining orbital periods for ultracompact binaries)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x5) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-10-29

SA: Antoine
SO: Fred
Others: Lisa, Chery, Devakshan, Thabelo, Eben

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

What a night. It wasn't a great start for the week—technical issues and poor seeing persisted throughout the second half of the night.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x8) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-10-28

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Antoine, Fred, Lisa, Team LFC, Nico, Wimpie

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

We lost almost a third of the night to technical issues of various sorts, but managed several blocks in between the problems. We were limited to mostly P2 blocks by a grey moon and moderate to variable seeing.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x3) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-GWE-001 P2 RSS (Chasing Down Candidates in BBH Merger 250927ck)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-10-27

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Wimpie

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

A relatively trouble free night with clear conditions and good, stable seeing. Our IQ was much better tonight after the mirror alignment. A number of high priority blocks were completed.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-002 P0 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-2-MLT-007 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic monitoring of a unique red (?) supergiant in the LMC)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-2-SCI-025 P1 HRS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-001 P2 RSS (SALT Spectra of Transients)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-011 P3 RSS (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )

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

Night Log 2025-10-26

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We observed only high priority blocks again tonight. The seeing was sub-arcsecond for the whole night, though our delivered IQ couldn't quite match it. Some technical issues with the payload lost us just over an hour of the night.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-001 P0 RSS (SALT Spectra of Transients)
2023-2-MLT-002 P0 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-1-SCI-029 P1 RSS (Spectroscopy of infrared-luminous galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)

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

Night Log 2025-10-25

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa, Richard, Shan, Wimpie

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

Night lost to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-10-24

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Another good night of weather with few technical issues. The IQ didn't quite match the external seeing, but still wasn't bad. We completed 11 blocks including 3 P0's.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2023-2-MLT-002 P0 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-1-SCI-022 P0 RSS (Studying the spectroscopy of three seperate regions in NGC2467.)
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2025-2-SCI-011 P2 HRS (delta Scuti Ap stars)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)

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

Night Log 2025-10-23

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Lisa, Shan, Richard

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

We had great conditions and a well-behaved telescope tonight, allowing us to complete many high priority blocks, including 4 P0's!

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-022 P0 RSS (Studying the spectroscopy of three seperate regions in NGC2467.)
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)
2025-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (x2) (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-10-22

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: JC & family, Wimpie, Nico

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

We were closed for most of the night due to thick cloud, but managed to complete 5 blocks after it cleared up.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-022 P0 RSS (Studying the spectroscopy of three seperate regions in NGC2467.)
2024-2-SCI-025 P1 HRS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)

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

Night Log 2025-10-21

SA: Alexei
SO: Austun
Others:

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

=> Very nice and stable dark night with very good and good seeing. Practically, only high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Followup of Transients)
2023-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2024-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x3) (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-1-MLT-001 P3 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)

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

Night Log 2025-10-20

SA: Alexei
SO: Austun
Others:

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

=> Stable dark night with slowly rising humidity and degrading seeing. Mostly high priority blocks were observed during this night.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-MLT-007 P0 RSS (Rutgers discretionary time.)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2024-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-10-19

SA: Alexei
SO: Austun
Others:

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

=> Rising humidity closed us about midnight. Few high priority blocks were observed during first half of the night.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Followup of Transients)

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

Night Log 2025-10-18

SA: Alexei
SO: Austun
Others:

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

=> Stable dark night with good seeing and rising humidity. Only high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Determining orbital periods for ultracompact binaries)
2023-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)
2025-1-SCI-024 P2 RSS (Probing glaxy evolution using large scale gas flows around galaxies)
2025-2-MLT-004 P2 HRS (Radial Velocity Monitoring and Atmospheric Parameters Study of Yellow Symbiotic Giants)

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

Night Log 2025-10-17

SA: Alexei
SO: Austun
Others:

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

=> This night was completely lost due to bad weather.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-10-16

SA: Alexei
SO: Austun
Others:

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

=> Unstable dark night with rising humidity and from moderate to bad seeing. Most of observed blocks were low priority blocks for this reason. Anyway, one P0 was observed as well.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-SCI-026 P2 RSS (x2) (Measuring chemical abundances in the Magellanic Bridge; a glimpse of the past in nearby space. )
2024-1-SCI-036 P2 RSS (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-016 P3 RSS (x2) (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2025-1-SCI-005 P3 RSS (Variations of Dark Matter Fraction among Galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-002 P3 HRS (Observations of ssrAp stars)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x4) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-10-15

SA: Alexei
SO: Austun
Others:

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

=> Very stable and clear night with very good seeing and without any technical issues. Only high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2025-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x2) (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-024 P2 RSS (Probing glaxy evolution using large scale gas flows around galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x3) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-GWE-001 P2 RSS (Chasing Down Candidates in BBH Merger 250927ck)
2024-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Followup of Transients)

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

Night Log 2025-10-14

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Anthony, Daniel, Alexei, Austun

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

We only managed to observe a few blocks before variable cloud cover and high humidity caused us to close.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-10-13

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Sibo, Thabelo, Michael

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

We had a mostly clear night with reasonable seeing and we observed many high priority blocks until an unexpected rise in the humidity closed us.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-2-LSP-002 P1 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-1-SCI-036 P2 RSS (x2) (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2025-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)

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

Night Log 2025-10-12

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Gourab

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

We only managed to complete one block before bad weather (thick cloud and high humidity) kept us closed for the rest of the night.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)

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

Night Log 2025-10-11

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others:

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

Lots of thick cloud tonight, we tried and tried but only managed to complete one block.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)

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

Night Log 2025-10-10

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Sibo, Anthony

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

The night was affected by thick cloud, but inbetween it we managed to observe a few high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Age Dating UMa)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)
2025-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (x2) (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )

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

Night Log 2025-10-09

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Michael, Thabelo, Gourab

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

We had to contend with variable cloud cover and seeing for most of the night, but we managed to observe many mid to low priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-LSP-001 P2 NIR (x4) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-025 P2 NIR (Near-infrared (and one optical) spectra of AGN)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x3) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Doppler imaging of the unexplored Southern Ap star)

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

Night Log 2025-10-08

SA: Moses
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Sibo, Gourab, Michael (for TimDimm), Sam

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

We had clear skies and stable seeing for most of the night and we were able to observe many blocks of mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-LSP-001 P1 NIR (x2) (Study of star formation quenching in post-starburst galaxies)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x3) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2024-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Study of the properties of five extreme mass-ratio binaries)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (x3) (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)

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

Night Log 2025-10-07

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo and Sam (tracker)

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

Technical issues related to the tracker caused us to loose the latter part of the evening and close up.

Science data taken for:
2016-2-COM-001 P1 RSS (Polarimetry test proposal)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (x2) (Doppler imaging of the unexplored Southern Ap star)

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

Night Log 2025-10-06

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Humidity kept us closed for the larger part of the night. We had to perform an alignment and with the remaining time we managed to complete 2 blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-10-05

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: E10 (Fold mirrror)

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

Some technical issues and bad weather made observing difficult tonight, we managed to complete only 3 blocks, including a P0.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-COM-001 P1 HRS (HRS HS Commissioning )
2025-1-SCI-002 P3 HRS (Observations of ssrAp stars)

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

Night Log 2025-10-04

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Strong winds in the first part of the night and high humidity in the latter caused some downtime. We were able to complete 5 blocks in between.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)
2025-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)

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

Night Log 2025-10-03

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Sam & E10 (HRS & RSS), Shamiel (EDS)

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

We had a full night. Technical issues and bad seeing kept us on our toes. Thankfully both dissapear for the 2nd half of the night and we managed to observe two high priority blocks, including a GW candidate.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-GWE-001 P2 RSS (Chasing Down Candidates in BBH Merger 250927ck)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (x2) (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x3) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)

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

Night Log 2025-10-02

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Moses (for SMI tests)

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

The seeing has been horrendous tonight and was above 3.5" most of the times. We had some gaps in the night due to this.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x3) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2023-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-SCI-012 P4 RSS (x5) (Artificial intelligence identification of extragalactic sources)

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

Night Log 2025-10-01

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Sam (glycol)

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

Clouds and high humidity kept us closed for the night.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-30

SA: Rudi
SO: Austun
Others: Danièl (handover), Sam, Michael and E10

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

A full night of observing in the end. Stable seeing conditions with a relatively strong wind the entire night. Mostly higher priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Age Dating UMa)
2025-1-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Near-infrared (and one optical) spectra of AGN)
2023-1-SCI-040 P1 HRS (Searching for variable metal lines in polluted white dwarfs)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x4) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-005 P3 RSS (Variations of Dark Matter Fraction among Galaxies)

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

Night Log 2025-09-29

SA: Rudi
SO: Austun
Others:

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

A relatively good night. Some variable seeing at the start leading to a short period of high humidity that kept us closed. A change in the wind direction and we could open again to end the night. Mostly higher priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-COM-001 P1 HRS (HRS HS Commissioning )
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x6) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-09-28

SA: Rudi
SO: Austun
Others:

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

We attempted one block tonight but bad seeing forced us to stop. High humidity and ridge cloud a short while later forced us to close.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-27

SA: Rudi
SO: Austun
Others: Kevin, Willy Benz

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

The clouds kept us closed for a large part of the night. We managed to observe a few blocks in the middle and again at the end of the night.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)

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

Night Log 2025-09-26

SA: Rudi
SO: Austun
Others:

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

The clouds forced us to close for a large part of the night and made observing difficult throughout. We observed mostly brighter and lower priority blocks due to the weather.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-002 P3 HRS (Observations of ssrAp stars)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x6) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-09-25

SA: Rudi
SO: Austun
Others:

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

A full night of observing with no downtime at all. A good mix of priorities observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-001 P2 RSS (SALT Spectra of Transients)
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)
2024-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Study of the properties of five extreme mass-ratio binaries)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-011 P3 RSS (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)

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

Night Log 2025-09-24

SA: Rudi
SO: Austun
Others:

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

We managed to get a few blocks observed before the clouds and high humidity forced us to close with about half of the night remaining.

Science data taken for:
2023-1-SCI-040 P2 HRS (Searching for variable metal lines in polluted white dwarfs)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-SCI-011 P3 RSS (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )
2025-1-MLT-006 P3 HRS (Search for binary post-AGB stars.)
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-09-23

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Austun

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

Clouds and high humidity kept us closed all night.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-22

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A full night of observing in very good conditions. We had sub-arcsec seeing for most of the night and very little technical downtime.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-002 P0 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2023-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-028 P2 RSS (x2) (Determining orbital periods for ultracompact binaries)
2025-1-SCI-015 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing the large-scale gas flows im and around galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-004 P3 HRS (High resolution spectrocopy of Type II Cepheids)
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2024-1-MLT-001 P3 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)

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

Night Log 2025-09-21

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Clouds, rain, strong winds and high humidity kept us closed all night.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-20

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: E10

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

We managed to get a few blocks observed through some clouds for the first half of the night. It cleared for a little while after midnight, but the clouds came back and forced us to close early.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-COM-001 P1 HRS (HRS HS Commissioning )
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x3) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-09-19

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Rudi

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

Night lost to cloud.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-18

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: E10, Dev, Nico

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

We had some technical issues with the mirror at the start of the night, but once we got under way it was a fairly smooth night. The guider IQ was slightly worse than the last few nights, but that was most likely seeing rather than mirror related.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (Unraveling the enigmatic variability of AE Cir system with SALT)
2024-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-009 P2 RSS (We are probing the large scale outflows in bright quasars through absorption spectroscopy.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)

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

Night Log 2025-09-17

SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

A full night of science with clear skies and good seeing throughout. We did a much needed throughput test in the middle of the night. Several high priority blocks completed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2023-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2019-1-COM-001 P1 SCAM (Burst-mirror throughput test )
2025-1-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Measuring chemical abundances in the Magellanic Bridge; a glimpse of the past in nearby space. )
2025-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Age Dating UMa)
2025-1-SCI-015 P2 RSS (Probing the large-scale gas flows im and around galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-028 P2 RSS (Determining orbital periods for ultracompact binaries)
2025-1-MLT-005 P2 RSS (x2) (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-004 P3 HRS (High resolution spectrocopy of Type II Cepheids)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-09-16

SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others:

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

Night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-15

SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others:

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

Night lost to weather.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-14

SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others:

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

Another night of great seeing, albeit with thin cloud this time. We had a full night of science.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-ORP-001 P2 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Monitoring a special sample of quasars showing large continuum variations in their spectra.)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-011 P2 RSS (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )
2024-1-SCI-036 P2 RSS (x2) (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-MLT-006 P3 HRS (Search for binary post-AGB stars.)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)

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

Night Log 2025-09-13

SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others:

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

A beautiful, clear night with fabulous seeing and a well behaved telescope. Many high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-001 P0 RSS (x2) (SALT Spectra of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-ORP-001 P1 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Study the role of Studying Star Formation in HI-Detected Galaxies in the Fornax Cluster)
2024-1-MLT-010 P2 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)
2025-1-SCI-005 P3 RSS (Variations of Dark Matter Fraction among Galaxies)

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

Night Log 2025-09-12

SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others:

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

We lost the first few hours to thick cloud, but had excellent seeing when we did open. We observed mostly high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-001 P0 RSS (SALT Spectra of Transients)
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)
2025-1-SCI-008 P2 RSS (Monitoring a special sample of quasars showing large continuum variations in their spectra.)
2024-2-SCI-013 P2 RSS (HERBS-138 NIR mapping. Backup: zlens for HERBS-24 and HERBS-28.)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Doppler imaging of the unexplored Southern Ap star)

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

Night Log 2025-09-11

SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Wimpie

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

We lost most of the night to very poor seeing & high humidity, only completing one block.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)

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

Night Log 2025-09-10

SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others: UCT student groups

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

Good weather and modest seeing allowed us to complete several blocks tonight. These were mostly of lower priority due to the bright moon. We lost a small amount of time to technical issues, but otherwise had a good night.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-ORP-001 P0 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x3) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2024-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Study of the properties of five extreme mass-ratio binaries)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x3) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (x3) (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)

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

Night Log 2025-09-09

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo (HRS), Lee and Nomzamo (handover)

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

We had some technical issues tonight but managed to complete a number of blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-SCI-025 P1 RSS (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x3) (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (x2) (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)
2025-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Doppler imaging of the unexplored Southern Ap star)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x3) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2024-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Study of the properties of five extreme mass-ratio binaries)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-018 P4 HRS (delta Sct Ap stars)
2024-1-MLT-010 P4 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)

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

Night Log 2025-09-08

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo

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

High humidity kept us closed for the night.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-09-07

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo

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

The weather was perfect to see the moon eclipse and experience the blood moon. We managed to complete several blocks, mostly low priority. High humidity closed us two hours before twilight.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x4) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2024-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Study of the properties of five extreme mass-ratio binaries)
2025-1-MLT-006 P3 HRS (Search for binary post-AGB stars.)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-MLT-001 P3 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-018 P4 HRS (delta Sct Ap stars)
2025-1-SCI-003 P4 HRS (x4) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-09-06

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Thick clouds closed us for the first part of the night, but cleared after midnight. We managed to complete several blocks, mostly low priorities.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-031 P2 HRS (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)
2025-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Doppler imaging of the unexplored Southern Ap star)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (x2) (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)
2025-1-SCI-012 P4 RSS (Artificial intelligence identification of extragalactic sources)

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

Night Log 2025-09-05

SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We lost the whole night to high humidity and had some issues with the mirror alignment at the start of the night, we only managed to complete 1 block.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-SCI-001 P3 HRS (Study of the properties of five extreme mass-ratio binaries)

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

Night Log 2025-09-04

SA: Antoine
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

Thick clouds forced us to close early, we managed to observe only one block.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-DDT-005 P0 HRS (High-res spectra of the first ever high-mass CV)

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

Night Log 2025-09-03

SA: Antoine
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We lost some time at the beginning of the night due to thick clouds. The first part of the night the seeing was unstable, but in the second part we had good seeing. Nevertheless, we managed to observe a substantial number of blocks with mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-001 P0 RSS (SALT Spectra of Transients)
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2023-1-SCI-040 P1 HRS (Searching for variable metal lines in polluted white dwarfs)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 HRS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-SCI-008 P3 RSS (Monitoring a special sample of quasars showing large continuum variations in their spectra.)
2025-1-SCI-031 P3 HRS (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x4) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-09-02

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: Thabelo and Sam

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

A full night of observing. However, the seeing was unstable during the observations.We had some Technical problems but the rest of the night went well with many blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-DDT-005 P0 HRS (High-res spectra of the first ever high-mass CV)
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2025-1-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Study the role of Studying Star Formation in HI-Detected Galaxies in the Fornax Cluster)
2025-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (x2) (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x3) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-009 P3 RSS (We are probing the large scale outflows in bright quasars through absorption spectroscopy.)
2025-1-SCI-002 P3 HRS (Observations of ssrAp stars)
2025-1-SCI-010 P3 HRS (Doppler imaging of the unexplored Southern Ap star)

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

Night Log 2025-09-01

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: Thabelo (Online)

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

A full night of observing. We had some Technical problems but the rest of the night went well with many blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2023-2-MLT-002 P0 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x9) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2025-1-SCI-009 P3 RSS (We are probing the large scale outflows in bright quasars through absorption spectroscopy.)

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

Night Log 2025-08-31

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: Thabelo (online)

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

High humidity forced us to close, but we were able to observe a good number of blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (x2) (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 HRS (Followup of Transients)
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2025-1-MLT-002 P2 RSS (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
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)
2025-1-SCI-009 P3 RSS (We are probing the large scale outflows in bright quasars through absorption spectroscopy.)
2025-1-SCI-003 P4 HRS (x4) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-08-30

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others:

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

Another full night of observing with a really good and stable seeing. Good number of blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (x2) (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x3) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x5) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)

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

Night Log 2025-08-29

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others:

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

We managed to get a full night of observing with a really good and stable seeing. Good number of high priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2023-2-MLT-002 P0 RSS (Constraining galaxy cluster merger geometries and timescales)
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2025-1-COM-001 P1 HRS (HRS HS Commissioning )
2025-1-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Determining orbital periods for ultracompact binaries)
2025-1-DDT-004 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopy of the new interstellar object 3I/ATLAS)
2025-1-MLT-002 P1 RSS (x3) (Tracking Accretion Flows via BLR Emission in Changing-Look Active Galactic Nuclei)
2024-2-MLT-002 P1 RSS (MeerKAT follow-up study of gas-rich galaxies in the Fornax cluster. )
2024-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Photometric Reverberation Mapping of Seyfert AGN)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (x2) (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x2) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-08-28

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others:

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

Rain, High humidity and clouds kept us closed all night.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-08-27

SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: Lisa

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

We had a productive night to start the week; however, the seeing was unstable during the observations. Nevertheless, we managed to observe a substantial number of blocks with mixed priorities.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-COM-002 P0 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2025-1-DDT-004 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopy of the new interstellar object 3I/ATLAS)
2025-1-SCI-014 P1 RSS (Spatially resolved optical spectra of post-starburst galaxies )
2023-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (x3) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2025-1-SCI-028 P1 RSS (Determining orbital periods for ultracompact binaries)
2024-2-LSP-002 P2 RSS (Pan-African AGN survey using SALT/IFS: tracing the properties of AGN and their host galaxies)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2023-2-MLT-005 P3 RSS (Monitoring the activity of Be/X-ray binaries in the southern hemisphere)
2025-1-SCI-016 P3 RSS (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)

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

Night Log 2025-08-26

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Antoine, Austun

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

A full night of observing. We had some clouds at the start of the night but it cleared after about 2 hours. We had some problems with the primary mirror in the beginning, but the rest of the night went well with many high priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-COM-002 P0 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2025-1-SCI-017 P1 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x3) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-1-MLT-001 P3 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)
2025-1-SCI-016 P3 RSS (x2) (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2024-2-SCI-025 P4 RSS (x2) (Looking for proto hot Jupiters)

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

Night Log 2025-08-25

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We managed to get a full night of observing with some really bad and variable seeing in the first half of the night. The second half was much more stable. Good number of high priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x3) (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-026 P1 RSS (Measuring chemical abundances in the Magellanic Bridge; a glimpse of the past in nearby space. )
2025-1-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2023-2-LSP-001 P3 RSS (Spectra of ultrashort period main sequence binary stars)
2025-1-SCI-011 P3 RSS (Radial Velocity measurements of short-period pulsating stars. )
2023-2-MLT-003 P4 RSS (x3) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (Near-UV and visible spectroscopy of the primitive asteroids)

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

Night Log 2025-08-24

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Wimpie, Nico, Eben

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

We had some technical issues at the start of the night and we were fighting with the clouds for the rest of the night. Eventually the clouds took victory and we closed up about 2 hours before the end of the night.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-ORP-001 P0 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (x5) (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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

Night Log 2025-08-23

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

High humidity and clouds kept us closed all night.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-08-22

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

High humidity and strong wind kept us closed all night.

No science data taken.

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

Night Log 2025-08-21

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

High humidity forced us to closed early, we managed to observe only one block.

Science data taken for:
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)

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

Night Log 2025-08-20

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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

We managed to get a few blocks observed between the clouds, high wind speeds and high humidity. Very little technical downtime.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-COM-001 P1 HRS (HRS HS Commissioning )
2025-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (x2) (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2024-1-SCI-036 P2 RSS (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-08-19

SA: Narges
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Rudi, Thabelo, Sunnyboy

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Summary
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A full night with just a little technical downtime. We observed several high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2025-1-MLT-001 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 SCAM (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-ORP-001 P1 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-MLT-005 P1 RSS (Study the most metal-poor void dwarf galaxies)
2023-1-SCI-040 P1 HRS (Searching for variable metal lines in polluted white dwarfs)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x3) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-SCI-016 P2 RSS (x3) (Probing magnetic field strength in mangnetic CVs)
2024-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Study of the outer parts of lenticular galaxies.)
2024-1-MLT-007 P3 HRS (Long-term monitoring of the first known blue large-amplitude pulsator in a binary)
2025-1-SCI-030 P3 HRS (High resolution spectroscopy of asteroseismic targets)
2025-1-SCI-003 P3 HRS (Defining a new chemically peculiar star catalogue)

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Night Log 2025-08-18

SA: Narges
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Sunnyboy, Thabelo

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Summary
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It was a full and challenging night. We got various technical issues but managed to observe several blocks including two P0s, one of which was my first SMI observation and so long!

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (x2) (Followup of Transients)
2025-1-MLT-003 P1 HRS (Unraveling the enigmatic variability of AE Cir system with SALT)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2024-2-COM-002 P1 RSS (This is a commissioning proposal)
2025-1-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Time-series spectra of cataclysmic variables.)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x2) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2025-1-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far.)
2025-1-SCI-030 P3 HRS (High resolution spectroscopy of asteroseismic targets)
2024-1-ORP-001 P3 RSS (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-002 P3 HRS (Observations of ssrAp stars)

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Night Log 2025-08-17

SA: Narges
SO: Nomzamo
Others: Thabelo

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Summary
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A full night with some interruptions due to technical downtime. We observed several high priority blocks.

Science data taken for:
2024-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Followup of Transients)
2024-1-SCI-036 P1 RSS (x2) (Studying a Variety of ACT sources with SALT)
2025-1-SCI-031 P1 HRS (High resolution spectra to obtain abundances of RR Lyrae stars.)
2024-1-ORP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Double white dwarf candidates)
2025-1-SCI-028 P2 RSS (Determining orbital periods for ultracompact binaries)
2024-2-MLT-001 P2 HRS (Spectroscopy of compact heirarchial triples)
2023-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (x3) (Investigating the polarised nature of TeV-emitting blazars)
2024-1-MLT-010 P3 HRS (Stellar Characterisation of Ariel mission targets: derivation of N and O abundances)

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