Heidelberg University Faculty of Physics and Astronomy

The institute is named after Gustav Kirchhoff, who collaborated in Heidelberg in 1854 with Robert Bunsen in spectroscopic work.

The Astromomisches Rechen-Institut (Astronomical Calculation Institute) is part of the Center of Astronomy of the University of Heidelberg.

Before it was a research institute for astrometry and stellar dynamics belonging to the state of Baden-Württemberg.

In 1945 the Institute was moved by the occupying force (Americans) nearer to their headquarters in Heidelberg.

Since January 1, 2005 it has been integrated into the Center of Astronomy and as of today is not limited to publishing star catalogs but has a wide research scope.