The Astronomisches Rechen-Institut (ARI) is part of the newly established Centre for Astronomy of Heidelberg University (Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg or ZAH). The other two institutes in the ZAH are the Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (Institut für Theoretische Astrophysik or ITA) and the State Observatory Königstuhl (Landessternwarte Königstuhl or LSW).
The scientific activities at the ARI cover a broad range of research areas including cosmology, gravitational lensing, galaxy evolution, stellar dynamics, astrometry, satellite missions, and calendrical calculations.
The ARI is involved in various local, European, and worldwide scientific networks and collaborations. The ARI plays a leading role in the preparation of the Gaia satellite mission of the European Space Agency. The ARI also operates a special high-performance computer for calculating gravitational interactions.