Welcometo 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 join us for the Astronomy Public Talk series, where we host short, accessible talks on a wide range of astronomy and physics-related topics — free and open to the public! This event will feature a presentation by UI Physics and Astronomy undergraduate student Sydney Tune, who will discuss how low-density periods in the solar wind can show what previous conditions were like near the Sun. By studying features known as counter-streaming strahl electrons and “double ions” during these rare...
Please join the University of Iowa Physics and Astronomy department as we use the Van Allen Observatory and small telescopes to tour the fall sky. To attend this Astronomy observation session, follow the signs in Van Allen Hall to the east elevator to reach the roof.