Palisades Dows Observatory

To reach the observatory from Mount Vernon, go south on Hwy. 1 and turn right (west) on Ivanhoe Road after crossing the Cedar River. The observatory is operated by the Cedar Amateur Astronomers, a volunteer group, in cooperation with the Linn County Conservation Department. This regional educational attraction evolved with the donation of a telescope by the University of Iowa, and a large capital campaign resulted in the construction of a new facility with 20-foot and 16-foot observation domes.