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Prof. Ing. Karel Kudela, DrSc.

Prof. Ing. Karel Kudela, DrSc. †20. 01. 2019

22. 1. 2019 | 1738 visits
Prof. Ing. Karel Kudela, DrSc. unexpectedly passed away on the 20th January, 2019 in Košice, Slovakia at the age of 72.
Prof. Karel Kudela was one of the founders of the Space Physics department at the Institute of Experimental Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice, which he led until 2011 and where he contributed to the work until his death. His research topics in the past five years focused primarily on the research of dynamics of low energy cosmic rays and suprathermal cosmic particles. He acted as scientific coordinator in many physical experiments performed on satellites and in ground measurements of cosmic radiation at the Observatory Lomnický štít. He significantly contributed to an improved understanding on the impact of solar activity on the cosmic ray flux, the dynamics of the Earth's particle environment and on the relationship between cosmic rays and space weather. One of his most important scientific achievements is the confirmation of solar neutron incidence on the Earth's surface as part of solar eruptions. He published more than 250 scientific papers and presented his results regularly at important international conferences. He served as member of scientific councils of several research institutions and of several scientific committees of international meetings. He was a member of the IAA (International Academy of Astronautics) and a member of Learned Society of Slovak Academy of Sciences (Učená Spoločnosť SAV). In addition, Professor Kudela lectured space physics at the Faculty of Science, Pavol Josef Šafárik University in Košice, at the Technical University of Košice, and cosmic radiation at the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague. His inspiring lectures were followed not only by undergraduate and graduate students but also by senior scientists and teachers.
Prof. Kudela collaborated with the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences for a longtime, but more intensively during last several years on the European project CRREAT focused on radiation effects in the atmosphere. Prof. Kudela led the project as director from its beginning in December 2016 until August 2017. He contributed remarkably to the scientific activities of the CRREAT project until the last moment.
We will remember Professor Karel Kudela forever as a kind person, hardworking devoted colleague, inspiring teacher and excellent expert with outstanding international reputation.