Iowa Robotic Observatory

The Iowa Robotic Observatory is a remotely operated research telescope stationed in the Arizona desert, run from afar by the University of Iowa for astronomy teaching and research.

About Iowa Robotic Observatory

The observatory houses a 51-centimetre Cassegrain reflector, a Planewave CDK-20, that can be commanded remotely by the University of Iowa's Department of Physics and Astronomy without staff needing to be on site.

Telescopes & research

Imaging is handled by an Andor IKON L-936 back-illuminated CCD camera paired with a 12-position filter wheel, while a low-resolution grism spectrometer (R=300) supports spectroscopic work; a medium-resolution reflection grating spectrometer has been in development for further studies. The facility is used both for astronomy laboratory courses and for original research.

Location & getting there

The telescope is sited at Winer Observatory in the Arizona desert, in the United States, a location prized for its dark, clear skies far from city lights, even though its operators work hundreds of miles away in Iowa.

Visiting Iowa Robotic Observatory

As a remotely operated research instrument rather than a public visitor site, the Iowa Robotic Observatory is best experienced through the University of Iowa's astronomy programme; check with the university before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

Robotic telescopes like this one can be pointed at precise coordinates on request, which is exactly how a named star can be located in the night sky. Look up your star's details any time in the catalogue.