Schedule of upcoming events:
August 2007
August 3rd - Public Night
May 5th - Saturday Morning spring cleaning - club members asked to help clean the observatory to prepare for the Open House
August 12th-13th, 2007 -
August 17th - Club Meeting at the Observatory - public welcome. Followed by Public Night
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In general, the Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club meets on the third Friday of each month at 7 pm at the John H. Witte Observatory. The meetings are open for the public. The observatory is open for public viewing after the meetings, as well as on the first Friday of each month (weather permitting). How late the observatory stays open will depend on crowd size, weather, and personal schedules of the volunteers operating the observatory. Every effort is made to accommodate all visitors.
Winter Schedule:
Observatory is open to the public on the first and third Friday of each month at 7pm, weather permitting.
Summer Schedule:
During summer months, it does not get dark enough to view the night sky until 9-10 pm. The observatory still generally opens at around 7 pm on the first and third Fridays, and the club frequently offers presentations and talks while waiting for darkness.
REMEMBER: When visiting the observatory, remember to dress for temperatures 10-20 degrees below what is predicted (especially during winter months). Even in the summer it can get surprisingly cool at night. The classroom area is heated, but the observatory buildings are not (heat shimmer affects the telescope's view). Please apply bug sprays before entering the observatory (away from the buildings), as sprays may drift to the telescopes and foul lenses. There is no water supply at the observatory, so please bring any needed drinks. (No alcohol of any kind allowed - park rules.) "Outhouse" facilities are available. Please, no flash photography or 'white light' flashlights after dark, as this will affect night vision. A flashlight with a red lens or covered with red cellophane is allowed, but please keep them pointed down.
For those wishing to bring their own telescopes, there are five telescope pads available for you to set-up on. All have power available only when the observatory is open.
For more information, or to schedule a private group, please call Dave at (319) 753-1082
Last Updated: August 12, 2007