The Institutes of ZAH

The Astronomische Rechen-Institut (ARI) originates from the calendar patent on 10th May 1700. The main research fields at ARI are astrometry, stellardynamics, galaxy evolution, gravitational lensing and cosmology. Till now the ARI has compiled a long series of astronomical catalogues and was especially involved in the data reduction of the satelllite mission Hipparcos. Now it plays a leadership role in the preparation of the astrometric Gaia-mission of ESA. The structure and evolution of the Milky Way is primarily investigated by analyzing stars and star clusters as well as performing numerical simulations on state-of-the-art parallel computers. The exploration of the structure, dynamics and evollution of spiral and dwarf galaxies is based mainly on the investigation of resolved stellar populations, whereas X-ray observations are used for distant galaxy clusters. The gravitational lensing effect is used to discover new planets around other stars. Multiple images of quasars are analyzed with respect to luminosity variability, the determination of the time delay and microlensing. Further research at ARI is concentrated on e.g. magnetic fields of white dwarfs, the search of minor planets, and work on calendar data.

The Institut für Theoretische Astrophysik (ITA) of the university of Heidelberg was established by merging the two chairs for theoretical astrophysics. At ITA, a variety of astrophysical subjects is studied theoretically. Among them are the formation of stars and planets, stellar astrophysics, astro-chemistry, hydrodynamics and radiation transport as well as cosmology, in particular the theory of structure formation in the dark universe. This research focuses on the questions how stars and planets form and evolve, and how the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy can be decrypted. ITA is involved in several national and European research projects, among them the SFB 439 "Galaxies in the Young Universe", the Transregio-SFB 33 "The Dark Universe", the Research Group 759 "The Formation of Planets" and the European RTN Network "DUEL". In addition, ITA participates in the European satellite projects "Planck" and "Dune".

The observatory at Königstuhl was inaugurated on 20th June 1898 by the grand duke Friedrich I. of Baden. The contemporary Landessternwarte Königstuhl (LSW) is active in the fields of stellar and extragalactic astrophysics. It is involved in the development and building of the Lucifer-spectrograph for the near infrared at the Large Binocular Telescope. In the domain of high-energy astrophysics the LSW participates in the H.E.S.S.-teleskope in Namibia. Special emphasis is taken on active galaxies and quasars also supported by optical observations and theoretical work. Another working group on stellar physics isengaged in hot stars and compact objects. The technique of interferometry is developed for ESO telscopes (VLTI) and used especially for the search of extra-solar planets.