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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, September 28, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, September 27, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, September 26, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, September 25, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO: Veronica
Others: Austun
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds and high humidity kept us closed all night.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, September 22, 2025
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO: Veronica
Others:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds, rain, strong winds and high humidity kept us closed all night.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, September 21, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-19
SA: Lee
SO: Veronica
Others: Rudi
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night lost to cloud.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO: Veronica
Others: Rudi
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night lost to cloud.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, September 19, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, September 18, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-16
SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night lost to weather.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO: Nomzamo
Others:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night lost to weather.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-15
SA: Lee
SO: Nomzamo
Others:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night lost to weather.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO: Nomzamo
Others:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night lost to weather.
No science data taken.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, September 15, 2025
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, September 14, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, September 13, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, September 12, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, September 11, 2025
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-09
SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo (HRS), Lee and Nomzamo (handover)
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)
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Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-08
SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo
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Summary
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High humidity kept us closed for the night.
No science data taken.
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Monday, September 8, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-07
SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo
SO: Veronica
Others: Thabelo
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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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-06
SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-05
SA: Danièl
SO: Veronica
Others:
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, September 5, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, September 4, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Night Log 2025-09-02
SA: Antoine
SO: Austun
Others: Thabelo and Sam
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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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, September 1, 2025
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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