Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamen Kozarev

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamen Kozarev obtained bachelor’s degree in astrophysics in Williams College in Massachusetts, USA, in 2005. In 2009 he obtained master’s degree in Astronomy and in 2013 – doctoral degree in Astronomy in Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Assoc. Prof. Kozarev specialised 6 years at Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Since the end of 2016, he has been working at the Institute of Astronomy with National Astronomical Observatory at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Assoc. Prof. Kozarev is a part-time lecturer in Department of Astronomy at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

The research work of Assoc. Prof. Kozarev is focused on observations with ground-based and space-based telescopes of solar eruptions, which emit huge clouds of plasma and magnetic field in interplanetary space. He also developed and analysed analytical and numerical models of acceleration of charged particles (mostly protons) to relativistic energy in shock waves during large solar eruptions. The aim is to determine the effect of shock waves on the charged particles acceleration and their propagation in the solar system. The results of the observations and models have been sought by international space agencies to predict the radiological situation in interplanetary space crossed by their missions.

In addition to his research interests, Assoc. Prof. Kozarev is participates actively in the popularisation of science – he gives regularly lectures on astronomy in schools and universities, organises the presentation of Institute of Astronomy with National Astronomical Observatory at Sofia Festival of Science, and participates regularly in Space Challenges Programme, which aims to meet young people with leading space professionals from around the world. Assoc. Prof. Kozarev is one of the creators of the new digital 3D planetarium at Natural History Museum in the city of Plovdiv.

Project Modelling and Observational Integrated Investigations of Coronal Solar Eruptions (MOSAIICS)

MOSAIICS project combines innovative interdisciplinary methodologies for research of solar eruptions, using new observations, modelling, and artificial intelligence. The project has three stages and lasts 5 years. The aim of the first stage is to develop innovative automated algorithms and methods for machine learning (artificial intelligence) in order to analyse solar telescopic images. The huge amount of data requires the development of such “smart” approach to its analysing. The second stage of the project focuses on the analysis of telescopic observations of solar erections in radio waves and distance ultraviolet spectrum in combination with direct observations of particles near the Earth. During the third stage of the project, the results of the previous two stages will be used to create and implement detailed realistic models to predict the acceleration of high-energy solar coronal ions and electrons and their propagation in interplanetary space.