Event

A one hour presentation by University of Iowa Prof. Jasper S. Halekas will be followed by telescope observing and viewing the night sky from our outdoor amphitheater.

Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Time: 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Central

Location: Palisades-Dows Observatory
1365 Ivanhoe Road
Mount Vernon, IA 52314

Information for Visitors

Location Details

Palisades-Dows Observatory
Located at the Palisades-Dows Preserve in rural Linn County, the facilities on the observatory grounds include the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center and several other buildings that house permanently-mounted telescopes. The Learning Center houses two meeting rooms, a library, kitchenette, storage rooms and a number of exhibits. Instruments include a 16-inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a vintage Celestron C-16 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a 5-inch refractor, several Coronado solar telescopes and a beautifully restored Boller & Chivens 24-inch classical Cassegrain telescope donated by The University of Iowa. Monthly public nights are held in the Learning Center meeting rooms followed by observing when conditions permit.

Event Report

Comments and anecdotes about the event:
Drawing for a member's home made telescope was won by a young visitor. Skies were cloudy, but the 24" telescope was able to penetrate the clouds enough for views of Saturn for many visitors.
Photo From CAA Public Night Program "To Touch the Sun"
Prof. Jasper Halekas by his wife Suzanne at the EIOLC
Photo From CAA Public Night Program "To Touch the Sun"
Prof. Jasper Halekas' children at the 24" telescope by his wife Suzanne at the EIOLC

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat 4/11/2026
- Sat 4/11/2026
8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Central
CAA Public Night - Mars and Its Habitability (tentative title) Palisades-Dows Observatory
1365 Ivanhoe Road
Ely, IA
Sat 5/9/2026
- Sat 5/9/2026
8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Central
CAA Public Night - Palisades-Dows Observatory
1365 Ivanhoe Road
Ely, IA
Sat 6/6/2026
- Sat 6/6/2026
8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Central
CAA Public Night - Palisades-Dows Observatory
1365 Ivanhoe Road
Ely, IA
Sat 7/18/2026
- Sat 7/18/2026
8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Central
CAA Public Night - Palisades-Dows Observatory
1365 Ivanhoe Road
Ely, IA