The observatory is situated within Holosiivskyi National Park, at an elevation of 213 meters above sea level. Its creation in the summer of 1944 was initiated by renowned scientist, astronomer, and geophysicist Oleksandr Yakovych Orlov. He personally selected a spacious clearing in the Holosiivskyi Forest for its construction—at the time, far beyond the city limits and away from bright lights that could hinder astronomical observations. 

Today, the Main Astronomical Observatory of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is internationally recognized for its contributions to astronomy. Its research spans various fields, including Earth’s rotation, celestial coordinate systems, solar physics, and the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. 

In 2004, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Holosiivska Observatory, minor planet No. 15675 was named "Holoseevo" in its honor.