upDATED STATUS
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- The next scheduled public program will be October 7th 2023 at 7:30 pm.
The Public Events Page will have the program information and a link to the virtual presentation when it is available. Information will also be posted on the CAA Facebook Page.
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The next monthly business meeting will be on October 5, 2023 starting at 7:00 pm. This meeting will be held at the observatory, but members may also attend virtually. Meeting details, including a link to the online meeting, will be in the October issue of The Prime Focus sent to members before the end of September.
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The observatory is only open for scheduled Public Events (see navigation link at right) and for reserved events. If you would like to make arrangements for a group visit, and you can round up 15 or more attendees, then leave a request at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Updated February 18, 2023: You can download the list of books and media, the list of magazines and publications, and the list of Public Night Presentations available in the associaton's library on the "Documents" page. There are now 1201 indexed items in the books and media, there are now over 2500 magazine issues, and we have 99 recorded presentations given at CAA Free Public nights, some dating back to 2015.
- Updated February 18, 2023: You can download the list of books and media, the list of magazines and publications, and the list of Public Night Presentations available in the associaton's library on the "Documents" page. There are now 1201 indexed items in the books and media, there are now over 2500 magazine issues, and we have 99 recorded presentations given at CAA Free Public nights, some dating back to 2015.
- Please send questions to: "This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.".
- Download a Flyer with all of the 2023 Event dates and times (180 kB pdf) or business card size schedule (112 kB pdf).
- Download a map (276 kB pdf) to Pal-Dows Preserve.
Come Explore Your Universe!
Members of the Cedar Amateur Astronomers (CAA) host public and private group events at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center. The EIOLC is located on the grounds of Palisades-Dows Preserve, between Mount Vernon and Ely, Iowa.
There is a new link in the navigation pane at the right labeled "EIOLC Webcam" that shows a view of the observatory grounds. The camera is called Pal-Dows Skies and it shows a good size area of the southeast sky as well as the area around the observatory buildings and domes. Check the sky before you go if you would like, or see if others are out observing.
As well as being a member society of the Astronomical League, the CAA is a member of NASA's Night Sky Network, a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy societies committed to sharing their time, their telescopes, and their enthusiasm for astronomy with their local communities. The CAA hosts public viewing nights during the year and information about those public observing nights can be found on the Events page of the website.
The Society serves its members, the public, local school districts, youth groups, as well as college and university classes. We have also hosted state and regional conventions in Cedar Rapids. Since its founding, the Society's membership has grown from 12 members to over 100. Our members come from all walks of life and with all levels of interest in astronomy.
The Cedar Amateur Astronomers, Inc. was founded on September 29, 1979, and incorporated in 1980. Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the CAA is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center at Palisades-Dows Preserve is jointly operated by the Cedar Amateur Astronomers and the Linn County Conservation Board.