Astronomical cabinet was founded at Kharkiv University at 1808, the cathedra of astronomy was founded at 1824, and the Astronomical Observatory at the University was created at 1883 by Prof. G. V. Levitsky. The Scientific Research Institute of Astronomy was founded at 2002 on the base of the Astronomical Observatory.

   From 1894 to 1915 the cathedra of astronomy and Astronomical observatory were headed by Prof. L. O. Struve, the grandson of the founder and first header of the Pulkovo Observatory V. Ja. Struve. Prof. L. O. Struve was the founder of Kharkiv school of positional astronomy. The Honored worker of science of Ukraine N.N. Evdokimov, the Laureate of State prize of USSR V. V. Kavrajsky, the Honored worker of Science and Technology of Russian Federation B.I. Kudrevich, and the Honored worker of Science of Ukraine B.P. Ostashchenko- Kudriavtsev were the representatives of this school.

   The next outstanding astrophysicists of XX century were the pupils of Prof. L.O. Struve: academician of USSR Academy of Sciences V.G. Fesenkov, academician of Ukraine Academy of Sciences N.P. Barabashov, one of founder theoretic astrophysics, director of the Pulkovo Observatory Prof. B.P. Gerasimovich, the President of International Astronomical Union and director of some known US observatories Prof. O.L. Struve.

    The studies of the physical conditions at the Moon and Solar System planets were started by V.G. Fesenkov and were continued by N.P. Barabashov, who created the worldwide known school of planetology. The data obtained at Kharkiv about the surface of the Moon, surface and atmosphere of Mars, atmospheres of Venus and giant planets played the important role at the first stage of planet investigations by space missions. Astronomers of KhNU took part in preparing and data processing of the all Soviet space programs of investigations for Moon, Mars, Venus and Halley comet.