Van Allen Observatory

Van Allen Observatory The Van Allen Observatory is located on the roof of the University of Iowa’s Van Allen Hall.

The roof is accessible via the building's East Elevator (go up to the 7th floor) and a single flight of stairs (approximately 20 steps).

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Astronomy Public Talk this past Friday to hear about spectroscopy from UI gr...
06/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Astronomy Public Talk this past Friday to hear about spectroscopy from UI graduate student Philip Griffin! We hope you enjoyed the demos, and had fun learning all about light with us, even if the weather was not on our side for observing.

Due to extreme weather conditions forecasted for tomorrow night, we are postponing this talk and Public Observing. Pleas...
04/16/2026

Due to extreme weather conditions forecasted for tomorrow night, we are postponing this talk and Public Observing. Please stay home and stay safe!

Many thanks to all those who joined us last Friday night for John Momberg's talk on Variable Stars and for Public Observ...
03/24/2026

Many thanks to all those who joined us last Friday night for John Momberg's talk on Variable Stars and for Public Observing. While the weather still wasn't the best, we were pleased to have such a great turn out!

Future astronomy public talks will be hosted from 7:30-8pm in Van Allen Hall's LR2 prior to Public Observing.

Our view of the stars might have gotten clouded out tonight, but we had a great time hearing about Lookback Time from gr...
03/07/2026

Our view of the stars might have gotten clouded out tonight, but we had a great time hearing about Lookback Time from graduate student John Silva!

Join us again in two weeks for the next astronomy public talk and hopefully some clearer weather!

Amazing views of the aurora borealis last week here in Iowa City!Photo credit 📷:1,2 - Kevin Hall3,4 - Sarah Henderson5,6...
11/18/2025

Amazing views of the aurora borealis last week here in Iowa City!

Photo credit 📷:
1,2 - Kevin Hall
3,4 - Sarah Henderson
5,6 - Jodie McLennan
7,8 - Meredith LeFevre
9,10 - Sydney Tune
11, 12 - Henry Prager

Join us this Friday for another night of cosmic wonder! Follow the signs in Van Allen Hall to the roof to join this star...
10/09/2025

Join us this Friday for another night of cosmic wonder! Follow the signs in Van Allen Hall to the roof to join this stargazing session.

Join us this Saturday from 8-10pm to learn all about Earth's only natural satellite, the Moon! We will use the VAO and s...
09/30/2025

Join us this Saturday from 8-10pm to learn all about Earth's only natural satellite, the Moon! We will use the VAO and small telescopes to observe the Moon, as well as the rest of the fall sky.

Looking for Friday plans before or after the Homecoming Parade? We got you covered! Stop by Van Allen Hall before the p...
09/24/2025

Looking for Friday plans before or after the Homecoming Parade? We got you covered! Stop by Van Allen Hall before the parade to learn about Iowa's contributions to space exploration over the past 8 decades, and after the parade for a night of Public Observing!🌌

Hi all, unfortunately the weather is not cooperating and we will have to call off tonight's observation session due to t...
09/12/2025

Hi all, unfortunately the weather is not cooperating and we will have to call off tonight's observation session due to the rain!

09/11/2025

Address

Van Allen Hall, 30 North Dubuque Street
Iowa City, IA
52242

Telephone

+13194671481

Website

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