History

History

The Department of Astrophysics was established in December 1982 as a problem group within the Central Laboratory for Space research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Since 1982 the Department's team has managed to solve the following research problems: development of comprehensive generalized model of non-stationary two-dimensional accretion discs; development of a self-harmonizing model of interfering winds; design and manufacturing of the small quick-rotation X-ray telescope, called SUNFLOWER which was launched on the GRANAT International Space Laboratory; elaboration of the Research Programme of the ROJEN Astronomic Complex under the SHIPKA Programme (the unit designed therein was, by its nature, pioneer in Space Optical Astronomy for orbital stations); elaborations of the idea for using of solid-state sensors, based on quick silver di-iodide crystals and their applications in further projects.

In 1987 it grew into the Department of Space Astronomy of the Space Research Institute and existed until 1991, when the Department becomes the High Energy Astrophysics Division.

In 2006 after reorganizations, the Department takes the name Astrophysics.

In 2008 as a result of integration the department was named Astrophysics and Synergetic, further renamed as Astrophysics and Space Dynamics. At present Space Astrophysics is the official new title of the Department.