SOFIE is an educational project established by the DLR_School_Lab Neustrelitz, Germany. Its objective is a robust ground-based detection of solar radiation bursts, i.e. solar flares, via measurable changes in the lower ionosphere. In order to accomplish this, continuous signals of powerful VLF Navy transmitters are received and stored. SOFIE offers students a professional insight into topics of space weather, the ionosphere and radio wave propagation. During the project interested students may construct the antenna on their own. Moreover, they are given the opportunity to assemble and operate the receiver following the provided construction kit and the included installation manual. DLR offers professional support and guidance. The recorded VLF data is directly transferred from the schools to a server in the DLR School Lab.
SOFIE began as a national educational project, but a collaboration with schools in other countries is intended. Therefore, the SOFIE VLF receiver is one of the ISWI instruments (International Space Weather Initiative). In compliance with ISWI's open data policy, the access to data products is free.
