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 Physics & Astronomy Colloquium - Dr. Emily Witt; Department of Physics & Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University Monday, November 2, 2026 2:30pm to 3:30pm Van Allen Hall Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Joint Nuclear & Particle Physics/Astrophysics & Space Physics Seminar - Dr. Caprice Phillips; University of California, Santa Cruz Monday, November 2, 2026 3:30pm to 4:30pm Van Allen Hall Joint Nuclear & Particle Physics/Astrophysics & Space Physics Seminar Operator Theory Seminar - Andrew Barsky; Jagiellonian University Tuesday, November 3, 2026 1:30pm to 2:30pm Van Allen Hall Operator Theory Seminar