Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive statistical analysis of 624 C-class solar flares observed between 1 January and 18 March 2025, examining their temporal characteristics, associated ion and electron temperatures (Ti, Te), total electron content (TEC), solar zenith angle (SZA), sunspot number (SSN), and 10.7 cm solar radio flux (F10.7). The mean flare magnitude was C3.87, with a mean duration of approximately 20 minutes. Daily flare occurrence averaged 8.3 events, peaking at 21 flares on 12 March 2025. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between flare magnitude and F10.7 (r = 0.331) and a weak positive correlation with SZA (r = 0.227). TEC exhibited only a very weak relationship with flare magnitude (r = 0.032), suggesting that moderate C-class flares produce limited immediate enhancements in ionospheric electron density under the prevailing solar activity conditions. Ion temperatures averaged 1168 K while electron temperatures averaged 1694 K, yielding a mean Ti/Te ratio of 0.70. These findings provide new observational constraints on the ionospheric response to moderate solar flares during the ascending phase of Solar Cycle 25 and complement earlier investigations of stronger flare events. The results have implications for space weather forecasting models that currently under-represent the cumulative effects of frequent C-class activity.
KEYWORDS
C-Class Solar Flares, Total Electron Content (TEC), Ion Temperature, Electron Temperature, Solar Radio Flux, Ionospheric Response.
Preetam Singh Gour1, Ashish Kumar Meena2*, Shiva Soni3
1School of Life and Basic Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur-302017, Rajasthan, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Nirwan University Jaipur-303305, Rajasthan, India
3Associate Professor, Poornima University, Jaipur-303905, Rajasthan, India