Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw was founded in 1825 and during its almost two century long history has continued scientific research and educational work. The Institute is located in the historical building in the beautiful old Lazienki Garden.

Observatory is a relatively small Institute. Its research staff counts 20 astronomers including  nine astronomers with the Full Professor title, one member of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences and two members of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Typically about 10 PhD students completes the scientific research staff. The high scientific position of the Observatory astronomers is highly recognized by the scientific community in Poland and worldwide. Astronomers from the Observatory are very often awarded the most prestigious scientific awards in Poland like the “Award of the Foundation for Polish Science” or “Award of the Prime Minister of Poland” or prestigious grants of the Foundation for Polish Science and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

Observatory is a headquarters of two widely recognized worldwide large scale long-term sky surveys: OGLE and ASAS – leaders of this new field of modern astrophysics. Astronomers from the Observatory are also actively involved in many well known astrophysical collaborations like  H.E.S.S., CTA, LIGO/VIRGO and satellite missions like Planck and Gaia. Observatory operates two observing stations: the northern station is located in Ostrowik near Warsaw and it is used mainly for educational and training purposes. The southern station is located at the Las Campanas Observatory, Chile (LCO) – one of the best astronomical sites in the world.

Beside of the scientific research Observatory also offers the undergraduate and graduate MSc studies in astronomy. It is a common practice that young, brilliant students are involved in scientific projects. Observatory is the highest rank educational astronomical institution in Poland. Most widely recognized in the astronomical world Polish astronomers graduated at the Observatory.