In the history of astronomy he is known as the author of the Berlin Academy of Science's 5th sheet of the star map, by the help of which the minor planets Astrea and Flora were discovered.

The second director Ivan Y. Kortatstsi (1837–1903) continued the astronomical research at the Observatory, cataloging the position of stars later named the “Nikolaev Zone”.

The main objective of the Observatory at that time was the spread of the Pulkovo absolute star catalogs to the southern sky and the implementation of regular observations of the Sun and Solar system bodies.

In [1955], Repsold Meridian Circle was transported to Mykolaiv from Pulkovo after reconstruction and a number of upgrades, on which different observational programs were carried out during 40 years.

In 1961, Zonal Astrograph made by the “Carl Zeiss” firm was transferred from Pulkovo to MAO and the history of photographic astrometry has begun.

In 70 – 80s, the observatory was the initiator and main administrant of several scientific expeditions for observations upon conditions of Polar night and high mountains in the Caucasus on the West Spitsbergen island.

In 1995, the MAO created and brought into action an automatic telescope with a CCD detector - Axial Meridian Circle (AMC), which in 1999 was included in the Tentative list of objects that make up the national property of Ukraine.

It consists of four independent mount equipped with modern CCD cameras with control system program in the remote access mode.

Solar system dynamics: Stellar reference frames: Near-Earth space: Information Support of Astronomical Research: History of Astronomy: The observatory is listed as a protected building since 1963.