Home Van Allen Observatory Van Allen Observatory 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. Events Operator Theory Seminar - Professor Ionut Chifan; Department of Mathematics, University of Iowa Tuesday, February 3, 2026 1:30pm Van Allen Hall Operator Theory Seminar Mathematical Physics Seminar - Professor Wayne Polyzou; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Iowa Tuesday, February 3, 2026 2:30pm to 3:20pm Van Allen Hall Mathematical Physics Seminar Astrophysics & Space Physics Seminar - George Hospodarsky, PhD; Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Iowa Wednesday, February 4, 2026 3:30pm to 4:20pm Van Allen Hall Astrophysics & Space Physics Seminar