[3] Currently[update] there are over 90 staff members and research students working at the institute,[4] which lies within the administration of the Liverpool John Moores University's Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

[5] The research conducted at the Institute covers many areas of astronomy and astrophysics, such as supernovae, star formation and galaxy clusters.

The Astronomy by Distance Learning courses are taught by CD-ROM, DVD and website material without the need for classroom sessions.

[10] In 2006, the institute received the "Queen's Anniversary Prize" for higher education in recognition for its development of the robotic telescope.

[11] In 2007, the "Times Higher Education Supplement Award" for 'project of the year' was given for the use of the RINGO optical polarimeter at the Liverpool Telescope in measuring gamma-ray bursts.