Institutes
Last update: March 8, 2023
The Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg (ZAH) was established in 2005 by joining the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut (ARI), the Landessternwarte Königstuhl (LSW) and the Institut für Theoretische Astrophysik (ITA).
Astronomisches Rechen-Institut (ARI)
Mönchhofstr. 12-14
69120 Heidelberg
Tel: 06221 54 1801
Email: egrauer(at)ari.uni-heidelberg.de
Professors:
Prof. Dr. Eva K. Grebel
Prof. Dr. Björn Malte Schäfer
Prof. Dr. Dominika Wylezalek
The Astronomisches Rechen-Institut (ARI) was founded in 1700 in Berlin and moved to Heidelberg after World War II. Its main research areas are extrasolar planets, stellar dynamics, star clusters, galaxy evolution, galaxy clusters, gravitational lensing, and cosmology. ARI astronomers use a wide range of ground-based and space-based optical, infrared, and X-ray observatories as well as high-performance supercomputers. ARI has published a long series of fundamental astronomical catalogs and leads the German Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (GAVO). ARI also hosts several DPAC Workpackages of the Gaia mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). ARI is also involved in several other international projects (including LSST, RAVE, Pan-STARRS, LAMOST, GREAT, LEGUS, HTTP, 4MOST, and microlensing networks).
Landessternwarte Königstuhl (LSW)
Königstuhl 12
69117 Heidelberg
Tel.: 06221 54 1700
Email: d.mueller-wolkenstein(at)lsw.uni-heidelberg.de
Professors:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Quirrenbach
Prof. Dr. Norbert Christlieb
Prof. Dr. ir. Saskia Hekker (HITS/ZAH)
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. The institute is also involved in the development and building of the Lucifer-spectrograph for the near infrared at the Large Binocular Telescope or the 4MOST instrument to be attached to ESO's VISTA telecope on Paranal. 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 is engaged 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.
Institut für Theoretische Astrophysik (ITA)
Albert-Ueberle-Str. 2
69120 Heidelberg
Tel. (AU-2): 06221 54 4837
Email: ita-office@zah.uni-heidelberg.de
Professors:
Prof. Dr. Cornelis P. Dullemond
Prof. Dr. Michela Mapelli
Prof. Dr. Ralf S. Klessen
Prof. Dr. Fritz Röpke (HITS/ZAH)
The Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (ITA) at Heidelberg University was founded in 1976. Researchers at the ITA investigate a broad range of astrophysical processes and objects using theoretical and numerical methods. Research topics range from the formation of stars and planets, the physics of the interstellar medium, stellar and star cluster evolution, and stellar explosions to the formation and evolution of galaxies and cosmology. Further areas of research include the dynamics of compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes, as well as the generation of gravitational waves. Numerical simulations, hydrodynamics, magnetic fields, radiative transfer, and modern machine learning techniques play a central role in this work. The ITA participates in numerous national and international research projects and collaborations, including the next-generation gravitational-wave observatory Einstein Telescope, as well as astronomical observing programs such as ALMAGAL, PHANGS, and the Local Volume Mapper (LVM).
