The Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw is an institution with more than two hundred years of tradition. It plays a key role in the development of astronomy in Poland and worldwide. Its building, erected in 1825, was already a modern facility at the time – placing it among the leading European institutions. The Observatory was equipped with two rotating domes that housed the latest instruments for various types of research and observations. From its founding until today, the Observatory’s team has continuously expanded the boundaries of our knowledge of the Universe. It is here, within the historic building on Ujazdowskie Avenue, that ideas and discoveries are born which shape the way we understand the Cosmos.

For many years, researchers from the Observatory have taken part in projects that contribute to the development of modern techniques for observing and describing the Universe – from numerical methods, through the analysis of astronomical data, to the construction of measuring instruments. Scientists working here make use of telescopes located all over the world and rely on data from numerous space missions, combining tradition with modernity. They participate in a number of key research endeavors, including Poland’s largest astronomical project, OGLE (The Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment), and the wide-field sky survey ASAS (All Sky Automated Survey) with the use of robotic telescopes. Furthermore, the Observatory’s staff are members of international consortia centered on instruments such as the Gaia space mission or the gravitational wave detectors LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA. They also develop collaborations with partner national institutions of the Polish Academy of Sciences, including the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, the Space Research Center, and the Center for Theoretical Physics (astrophysics group). These institutions are also popular venues for mandatory internships for students.

The Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw operates two observing stations: the northern one in Ostrowik near Warsaw, intended mainly for teaching purposes and home to a 60-centimeter telescope, and the southern one at the Las Campanas Observatory (LCO) in Chile – one of the world’s best astronomical locations. The Astronomy program offers two levels of study: bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as individual studies for the most talented high school graduates. The Observatory is also home to the University of Warsaw Astronomers’ Student Research Club. The unit therefore fulfills an important educational and outreach mission. It trains new generations of astronomers and science enthusiasts, and through lectures, workshops, and publications brings the fascinating world of astronomy closer to the general public.