In his scientific work he dealt with the early development of astrophysics and the application of quantitative methods in the history of science.

[3] Herrmann was director of the Archenhold Observatory in Berlin-Alt-Treptow from 1 November 1976 to 30 September 2004,[3] succeeding Diedrich Wattenberg.

[3][5] He also hosted the popular science programme "AHA" of Deutscher Fernsehfunk for 14 years,[3][4] for which he was awarded the Golden Laurel of GDR Television three times.

He was the author of 45 books, 150 scientific and about 2,000 popular science publications, as well as the successful planetarium programmes "Phantastisches Weltall", "Sterne, Nebel, Feuerräder", "Als der Mond zum Schneider kam", "Die große Tour durch die Welt der Planeten" (premiere 1993).

Since 26 September 2010, the star discovered on 11 January 2000 at the Volkssternwarte Drebach as a minor planet (103460) bears the name Dieterherrmann.