The Department of Astronomy and Space Science at King Abdulaziz University is the only department of its kind in Saudi Arabia. It was established to provide the best, stimulating and encouraging scientific atmosphere for young students and to contribute to the development of the Saudi society. The Physics/Astronomy Bachelor program at the King Abdulaziz University (KAU) was first offered in 1976 in the Department of Physics. Then, the Physics/Astronomy program was offered in the Astronomy department after its establishment in 1979 upon the decision of the Supreme Council of Universities.

Currently, the department offers Bachelor, Master and PhD programs of the highest possible quality. The department aims at developing   world-class scientific base in the KSA through the pursuit of research at the highest international level of excellence. The main fields of research undertaken in the department covers many areas in the domain of astrophysics and astrodynamics. In addition, it aims to enrich the national astronomical culture and raise the population's awareness about the role of astronomy in science and society.