\begin{table}%t3
\caption{VLT observation log for GRB~071227. Magnitudes are in the Vega system and are not corrected for
Galactic absorption. }
%\centerline
{          
\begin{tabular}{ccccccc}
\hline\hline
Mean time         &  Exposure time             & Time since GRB & Seeing     &  Instrument  &  Magnitude          & Filter / grism \\
(UT)              &  (s)                       & (days)         & (\arcsec)  &              &                     &                \\ \hline
2007 Dec. 28.13346 &  $2 \times 120$            &   0.29055      & $0.7$      & VLT/FORS2    & $23.24 \pm 0.08$    & $R$          \\
2007 Dec. 31.21576 &  $3 \times 180$            &   3.37133      & $0.7$      & VLT/FORS2    & $23.88 \pm 0.17$    & $R$          \\
2008 Jan 03.11081 &  $5 \times 180$            &   6.26790      & $0.8$      & VLT/FORS2    & $23.71 \pm 0.16$    & $R$          \\
2008 Jan. 07.09081 &  $5 \times 180$            &  10.24790      & $0.8$      & VLT/FORS2    & $24.02 \pm 0.21$    & $R$          \\
2008 Jan. 16.22578 &  $5 \times 180$            &  19.38287      & $0.7$      & VLT/FORS2    & $23.64 \pm 0.14$    & $R$          \\
2008 Jan. 18.09430 &  $10 \times 180$           &  21.25139      & $0.8$      & VLT/FORS2    & $23.91 \pm 0.19$    & $R$          \\
2008 Jan. 23.06066 &  $10 \times 180$           &  26.21775      & $0.9$      & VLT/FORS2    & $23.83 \pm 0.31$    & $R$          \\
2008 Feb. 06.10412 &  $10 \times 180$           &  40.26121      & $1.1$      & VLT/FORS2    & $23.69 \pm 0.13$    & $R$          \\ \hline  
2007 Dec. 28.21424 &  $4 \times 1800$           &   0.37133      & $0.7$      & VLT/FORS2    & ---                 & 300V+GG375   \\ \hline
\end{tabular}}
\medskip
Magnitudes from Dec. 31.2 onwards are computed within an
annulus with a radius of about $1\farcs5$ centered on the afterglow position,
and are therefore not representative of the host galaxy. Errors are given at
a $1\sigma$ confidence level.
\label{tab_log3}
\end{table}