Friday, November 30, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-29

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others: Pranesthan, Wanda and friend

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


A productive night, despite difficult weather and technical conditions.
We have managed to observe a large variety of targets

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-004 P2 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x7) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-1-MLT-008 P3 HRS (Central stars of mid-infrared nebulae discovered with Spitzer and WISE)

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-28

SA: ��ric
SO: Fred
Others:

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


Weather prevented us from observing medium to high priority targets. Seeing was very poor all night, forcing us to observe only low priority targets

Science data taken for:
2018-2-MLT-007 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)
2018-2-MLT-004 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic investigations of Cepheids and stars belonging to Galactic open clusters)
2018-2-SCI-003 P4 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2017-1-MLT-012 P4 HRS (x4) (Detailled study of CEMP stars identified in the RAVE survey)
2018-2-SCI-015 P4 HRS (Monitoring metals in white dwarfs and identifying symbiotic binaries.)

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-27

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: ��ric and Fred for change over; Petri

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


Managed to only observe a few blocks in the first half of the night before clouds kept us out of action.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-016 P1 HRS (roAp binaries @dlhwp)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-26

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


A challenging night of observing through some clouds.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-012 P1 HRS (x2) (Spectral monitoring of supposed Be+WD binaries)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-1-MLT-007 P2 HRS (Physical parameters determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2018-2-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2018-2-SCI-026 P2 RSS (Spectroscopic identification of ultra compact binary candidates)
2018-1-MLT-008 P3 RSS (Central stars of mid-infrared nebulae discovered with Spitzer and WISE)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Monday, November 26, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-25

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


A cloudy night that allowed only 3 blocks to be observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-24

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


Another full, clear night of observing with a mixture of priorities observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-006 P0 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Physical parameters determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-2-SCI-007 P3 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-23

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


Another productive night with a mixture of priority blocks observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-2-SCI-021 P2 HRS (x3) (HRS spectroscopy of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 RSS ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x3) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-017 P3 RSS (Characterising pulsating stars @dlhwp)

Friday, November 23, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-22

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


Productive night with little technical problems!

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-004 P1 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-2-SCI-027 P1 RSS (x2) (Following fast-moving stars found by Gaia. @_sublunar_ @kenjshen)
2018-1-MLT-005 P2 HRS (x2) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 RSS ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-21

SA: Itumeleng
SO: Veronica
Others: Richard for assistance with technical issues

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


A fairly productive night with variable seeing and clear skies.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-029 P0 HRS (x2) (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-2-SCI-027 P2 RSS (Following fast-moving stars found by Gaia. @_sublunar_ @kenjshen)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-007 P2 HRS (Physical parameters determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-20

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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


=> The whole night was lost due to high humidity. Weekly standard calibrations were done.

No science data taken.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-19

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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


=> Very nice night at the beginning, where humidity rised very fast after midnight and we were need to close. Many high priority blocks were observed anyway.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-029 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2018-2-SCI-016 P1 HRS (roAp binaries @dlhwp)
2018-2-SCI-021 P1 HRS (HRS spectroscopy of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)

Monday, November 19, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-18

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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


=> Very unstable night with moderate to bad seeing. Some technical issues. Anyway many high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-029 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2018-2-SCI-004 P1 HRS (x2) (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS (x3) ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 HRS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-004 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic investigations of Cepheids and stars belonging to Galactic open clusters)
2018-2-SCI-007 P3 HRS (Metal-Poor Subdwarfs for Stellar Modeling Calibration)
2018-2-MLT-007 P3 HRS (Searching for evolved binary stars with long orbital periods)

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-17

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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


=> The whole night was lost due to clouds. We were able to observe only one traget tonight.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Characterising pulsating stars @dlhwp)

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-16

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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


=> Night with good seeing but variable clouds from thin to thick in the morning. Observed the whole night anyway.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-029 P0 HRS (Exoplanets from TESS with @EllieInSpace)
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Physical parameters determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2018-2-SCI-021 P1 HRS (HRS spectroscopy of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-1-MLT-009 P3 HRS (Follow-up of interesting binaries and high-order multiple systems uncovered with the Gaia-ESO Survey)
2018-2-SCI-004 P3 HRS (Characterising the host star and protoplanetary disk environment in nearby young star systems)

Friday, November 16, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-15

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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


=> Stable night with good seeing but thin clouds. Many high priority block were observed. No any technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-2-SCI-016 P1 HRS (roAp binaries @dlhwp)
2018-1-MLT-007 P1 HRS (Physical parameters determination for a Cepheid in an eclipsing binary system.)
2017-2-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 HRS ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)
2018-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2018-2-SCI-021 P2 HRS (HRS spectroscopy of yellow symbiotic systems)
2018-2-MLT-004 P3 HRS (Spectroscopic investigations of Cepheids and stars belonging to Galactic open clusters)

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-14

SA: Alexei
SO: Fred
Others:

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


=> Clear night with moderate and variable seeing. Many high priority blocks were observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-006 P1 HRS (x2) (Measuring the interstellar abundance of lithium in the Large Magellanic Cloud)
2018-1-MLT-005 P1 HRS (x2) (HRS observations of symbiotic stars)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2015-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (x2) (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-13

SA: Rudi
SO: Fred
Others: Alexei for handover

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


Did not open tonight due to clouds.

No science data taken.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-12

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


Did not open tonight due to clouds.

No science data taken.

Monday, November 12, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-11

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


A mix high and low priority targets observed due to the changing weather conditions during the night. We also battled through a few technical issues.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-MLT-004 P1 RSS (Dark energy and the expansion rate of the Universe from quasar monitoring.)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 RSS ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)
2018-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)
2018-2-MLT-005 P2 RSS (Probing the winds from massive binary star supernova progenitors)
2015-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-MLT-004 P4 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-10

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Johan (on the phone), Thabelo for tracker problems.

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


Seeing conditions were not so good tonight but we managed to get some high priority targets observed. We also had some technical downtime tonight that affected the second half of the night.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-2-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 RSS ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x3) (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-09

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Meerkat Visitors

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


A productive night with many high priority targets observed and minimal downtime.

Science data taken for:
2017-2-MLT-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (x2) (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2017-1-MLT-003 P1 RSS (x3) (Intermediate mass black holes in star-forming galaxies)
2017-2-SCI-052 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic confirmation of high-redshift radio galaxy candidates)
2018-2-SCI-020 P2 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)

Friday, November 9, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-08

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others:

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


A very good night observing wise with very stable conditions. Managed to get some high priority targets observed.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-026 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic identification of ultra compact binary candidates)
2018-2-MLT-003 P1 RSS (Looking at chromospheric emission in stars which host exoplanets)
2017-2-SCI-052 P1 RSS (Spectroscopic confirmation of high-redshift radio galaxy candidates)
2018-2-SCI-023 P1 RSS (Measuring the rotation curves of super spirals.)
2018-2-SCI-008 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2018-2-SCI-020 P1 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopic follow-up of strong gravitational lenses)
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-038 P2 RSS (Study of the hosts' properties of extremely luminous CCSNe)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-07

SA: Rudi
SO: Veronica
Others: Patrick and Dutch tour group.

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


A number of high priority targets observed tonight. Seeing conditions at the start of the night was not too good, but it became better and more stable towards the end.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-MLT-006 P0 RSS (x2) (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2017-2-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-1-MLT-014 P1 RSS (Probing the optical counterparts of high energy sources)
2018-2-SCI-008 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2018-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Characterising pulsating stars @dlhwp)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x3) (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-06

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Rudi, Fred, Lisa

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


The night was cut short by high humidity, we did manage to observe a very high priority P0 target.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P0 RSS (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-05

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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


After some early cloud cover it cleared up a little and we manged to observe a quite few high and mid priority targets. Later on during the night high humidity caused us to close.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-LSP-001 P1 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-2-SCI-008 P1 RSS (x2) (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2017-2-MLT-001 P1 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x3) (Interaction history of the LMC and SMC)

Monday, November 5, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-04

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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


There was a lot of thick cloud present, high wind speeds and the humidity increased as the night went on so we were only able to perform a few low priority observations.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-029 P3 RSS (x6) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies )

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-03

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Taku

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


Lost the night due to overcast weather.

No science data taken.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-02

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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


Clear observing night with good seeing at the start, poorer in the middle and very good towards the end of the night. Managed to observe some high priority targets in the beginning and end and low priority targets in the middle of the night.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-026 P0 RSS (x2) (Spectroscopic identification of ultra compact binary candidates)
2018-2-SCI-008 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2018-2-SCI-023 P1 RSS (Measuring the rotation curves of super spirals.)
2018-2-SCI-038 P1 RSS (Study of the hosts' properties of extremely luminous CCSNe)
2018-2-SCI-017 P2 RSS (Characterising pulsating stars @dlhwp)
2018-1-MLT-003 P2 RSS (Spectral study of starforming rings in S0 galaxies)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x2) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)

Friday, November 2, 2018

Night Log 2018-11-01

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others: Richard

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


Sky was clear (albeit a little hazy at times), but the seeing varied a lot and was worse than 2" for most of the night and was consistently above 3" for the last part of it. We managed to observe a wide range of P0-P3 targets despite the restricted seeing.

Science data taken for:
2018-2-SCI-026 P0 RSS (Spectroscopic identification of ultra compact binary candidates)
2018-2-SCI-008 P1 RSS (Measuring galaxy kinematics for construction of the galaxy velocity function)
2015-2-MLT-006 P1 RSS (Characterising Strong Gravitational Lensing systems)
2018-2-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Study of unclassified extragalactic NuSTAR serendipitous sources)
2018-1-MLT-006 P2 RSS (Observations of supernovae, near and far. @_sublunar_)
2018-2-SCI-033 P2 RSS ( Exploring helium stars - relics of stellar evolution and pointers to a turbulent history.)
2017-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x4) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)
2018-1-SCI-029 P3 RSS (x3) (SALT Spectroscopic Survey of IR 12MGS Seyfert Galaxies )

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Night Log 2018-10-31

SA: Moses
SO: Thea
Others:

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


Decent observing night, with unfortunately variable and poor seeing for most of the night, and transparency was mostly thin cloud. We managed to utilize the time well for P2 and P3 targets and one P0. Closed a little early due to high humidity.

Science data taken for:
2018-1-SCI-014 P0 RSS (Classification of possible supernovae)
2016-2-LSP-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Observing optical counterparts of transient objects)
2018-1-SCI-021 P2 RSS (Reverberation mapping of a low-z AGN)
2017-2-MLT-001 P2 RSS (x2) (Spectral survey of candidate unusual nearby void dwarfs)
2018-1-SCI-042 P3 RSS (Investigating star formation histories of galaxies on the 3D main sequence)
2017-1-MLT-004 P3 RSS (x3) (Monitoring the line emission in Southern Galactic Be/X-ray binaries)