Observatories are home to some of the biggest and most impressive telescopes in the world. As many amateur astronomers know, there are numerous ways to experience the night sky beyond looking through a telescope in your own backyard. Iowa has impressive observatories that offer a wide variety of star parties, tours, and observatory programs that will expand your knowledge of astronomy and your love of the night sky, whether you are new to astronomy or have been in the hobby for years.
For your convenience, we have compiled an alphabetical list of observatories in Iowa that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in June 2024. Some information may be subject to change if the websites are updated. If interested in visiting one of the listed observatories, please contact the observatory for the latest information before you visit.
Ashton Observatory
The Ashton Observatory is located about twenty minutes northeast of Des Moines, Iowa. It was built in 1983 and served thousands of visitors from around the world. The building of the observatory was a collaborative effort between Jasper County and The Des Moines Astronomical Society, Inc.
Telescopes
The observatory houses a 16” Meade LX200 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and a 16” f/5 Newtonian style telescope.
Visiting
The Ashton Observatory offers Saturday public nights every Saturday evening starting April through October. The public nights start at 8pm with a classroom program. The first Saturday of every month, however, does not include the classroom program and is dedicated solely to star gazing. Admission is free.
Image Credit: Ashton Observatory
Grant O. Gale Observatory
The Grant O. Gale Observatory is operated by Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. It was opened in 1984 and was designed by Woodburn and O’Neil of Des Moines. The observatory is named for the late Grant O. Gale, the college’s longest-serving and most distinguished teachers. He served as the curator of the Physics Historical Museum for many years.
Telescopes
The observatory is home to a 24” Cassegrain reflecting telescope and two computer systems. One system controls the telescope and the second accommodates data acquisition and analysis.
Visiting
The observatory offers periodic, free open houses for the public. For upcoming and other future open houses, visitors are asked to contact Robert Cadmus, whose contact information can be found here.
Image Credit: Grant O. Gale Observatory
John Witte Observatory
The John Witte Observatory is located in Sperry, Iowa. It is made up of three separate observatory buildings: The Witte Observatory Building, the Prugh-Carner Observatory Building, and the Stone-Kelly Observatory Building. The complex as a whole comes from a cooperation between Des Moines County Conservation, the Burlington Community School District, the John H. Witte Jr. Foundation, and the Southeastern Astronomy Club.
Telescopes
The Witte Observatory Building has a 12” refractor manufactured in 1937 by Alvan Clark and Sons. The Prugh-Carner Observatory Building houses John H. Witte’s personal 8” refractor which was manufactured in 1931. The Stone-Kelly Observatory Building has a 16” Ealing Cassegrain telescope.
Visiting
The Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club will open the John H. Witte Observatory by reservation only with each evening being limited to 20 visitors. The 90 minute viewing session will begin with a tour of the Observatory facilities and educational materials and group photo opportunity. To make a reservation click here.
Image Credit: The Hawk Eye Newspaper
McCollum Observatory
The McCollum Observatory is managed by the University of Northern Iowa and is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Visiting
The McCollum Observatory offers observatory shows at the McCollum Science Hall during the fall semester. The shows begin at 9pm, and after the first Sunday in November, they start at 8pm. The shows are every Thursday night until Thanksgiving Break. The shows begin again after the college’s Spring Break (No shows will be given during Spring Break, final exam weeks, and the summer months). The program lasts between a half hour to longer than an hour.
Image Credit: Emma Koehler of McCollum Observatory
Menke Observatory
The Menke Observatory is located northwest of Dixon, Iowa. It was moved to its current location in 1994.
Telescopes
The Menke Observatory houses three telescopes.
Visiting
The observatory hosts several public stargazing events each year. One of these events is the Eastern Iowa Star Party. It is also available for educational programs and open to the public on special occasions. If interested, visitors should contact the Wapsi River Center. The contact information can be found here.
Image Credit: Ryan Heuer
Palisades-Dows Observatory
The Palisades-Dows Observatory was the brain baby of the Cedar Amatuer Astronomers, Inc. in cooperation with the Linn County Conservation Department. They broke ground in 1987. It is located about fifteen miles southeast of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Telescopes
The Palisades-Dows Observatory is home to a 24” Boller & Chivens telescope, a 16” Meade imaging telescope, a 1970s-era Celestron “classical” cassegrain telescope with a 16” mirror, a 14” Celestron EdgeHD computer controlled telescope, and several portable telescopes.
Visiting
The observatory is only open to the public for scheduled events. The schedule of these events can be found here. The observatory hosts at least twelve Saturday Public Observing events that feature guest speakers and celestial viewings (if the weather permits).
Image Credit: The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group
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