The Berlin Observatory ( Berliner Sternwarte in German ) has its origins in 1700 when Gottfried Leibniz initiated the SocietÃ t der Wissenschaften ( Brandenburgische Science Society ) which would later ( 1744 ) become the PreuÃ ischen Akademie der Wissenschaften ( Prussian Academy of Sciences ) . The Berlin Observatory ( Berliner Sternwarte in German ) is a series of observatories and related organizations in and around the city of Berlin in Germany , starting from the 18th century . It has its origins in 1700 when Gottfried Leibniz initiated the SocietÃ t der Wissenschaften ( Brandenburgische Science Society ) which would later ( 1744 ) become the PreuÃ ischen Akademie der Wissenschaften ( Prussian Academy of Sciences ) .