Astronomy courses utilizing the VAO include the introductory non-major survey courses Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe and Solar System Astronomy; the major-level course General Astronomy; and the upper-level course Astronomical Laboratory. The calendar below is used in scheduling Van Allen Observatory observations for Astronomical Laboratory students.

 

MARCH 2024 Calendar
SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
     1st2nd
3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th
10th11th12th13th14th

15th

8-10PM: Public Observing Night

16th
17th18th

19th

6:30-10:30PM: ASTR:1070

20th

9-11PM: ASTR:1070

21st

22nd

8-10PM: Public Observing Night

23rd
24th25th26th27th28th29th30th
       

 

April 2024 Calendar
SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
 

1st

6-9PM: ASTR:1080

9-11PM: ASTR:1070

2nd

6-10PM: ASTR:1080

3rd

6-10PM: ASTR:1080

4th

6-10PM: ASTR:1080

5th6th
7th8th9th10th11th12th13th
14th15th16th17th

18th

8-11PM: ASTR:1070

19th20th

21st

8-11PM: ASTR:1070

22nd

9PM-12AM: ASTR:1070

23rd24th25th

26th

8-10PM: Public Observing Night

27th
28th29th30th    
       

 

The MACRO Consortium Robert L. Mutel Telescope

In addition to the Van Allen Observatory, the University of Iowa utilizes the MACRO Observatory at the Winer Observatory in southern Arizona for undergraduate courses.

The University of Iowa was one of the first institutions to operate a robotic telescope primarily for the use of students, both for instruction and research. A robotic telescope’s operations are automated by software and observation requests are submitted over the internet using a web-based scheduler. The present telescope, consisting of a 0.51-meter-diameter Cassegrain reflector (PlaneWave CDK20) on an equatorial mount, a 12-position filter wheel, and an SBIG CMOS camera (Aluma AC4040), was installed in May 2015.

The MACRO Consortium, with member and user institutions Macalester College, Augustana College, Coe College, Knox College, and the University of Iowa, operates the telescope, which is named the RLMT for University of Iowa emeritus professor Robert Mutel.

 

 

 

The MACRO logo. White lettering is superimposed on a dark gray background and a yellow star moving right with with blue, yellow, and red streaks coming out of it; the colors of the MACRO institutions.
Students examine the Van Allen Observatory control computer screen.