Welcome to the Van Allen Observatory website. The University of Iowa Department of Physics and Astronomy maintains these pages as a guide to the Van Allen Observatory (VAO) located on the roof of Van Allen Hall in downtown Iowa City.

Please note that due to summer 2024 Van Allen Hall roof renovations, the Van Allen Observatory will be closed for summer 2024.

View of Phillips, Van Allen, Biology Buildings via Drone Sept 2021

Events

Physics & Astronomy Thesis Defense Seminar: Michael Hite promotional image

Physics & Astronomy Thesis Defense Seminar: Michael Hite

Friday, March 28, 2025 1:00pm
Van Allen Hall
Nuclear & Particle Physics Seminar - Salvatore Quaid; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Iowa promotional image

Nuclear & Particle Physics Seminar - Salvatore Quaid; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Iowa

Monday, March 31, 2025 2:30pm to 3:20pm
Van Allen Hall
Nuclear & Particle Physics Seminar
Operator Theory Seminar - Professor Raúl Curto, PhD; Department of Mathematics, University of Iowa promotional image

Operator Theory Seminar - Professor Raúl Curto, PhD; Department of Mathematics, University of Iowa

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 1:30pm to 2:20pm
Van Allen Hall
Operator Theory Seminar