The impact of moderate solar flare activity on ionospheric response from august 5th to 7th, 2023

This study investigates the ionospheric response to a period of heightened solar flare activity from August 5th to August 7th, 2023, by analysing ground-based observations of various ionospheric parameters. The data includes detailed information on solar flare events, including their class, start time, maximum time, and end time, along with solar activity indicators such as sunspot numbers, solar radio flux, and solar zenith angles. On August 5th, multiple C-class, M-class, and an X1.63 flare were recorded, with the X-class flare being the most intense event. Ionospheric measurements revealed enhancements in electron temperatures, reaching a peak of 2104K at 6 UT, coinciding with the onset of an M1.6 flare. Additionally, a pronounced increase in total electron content (TEC) was observed, peaking at 34 TEC units at 6 UT, suggesting increased ionization due to the flare's influence. On August 6th, an M5.51 flare was the most significant event. Notably, the peak electron temperature of 2097K and the TEC maximum of 35.9 units were recorded at 6 UT, several hours before the flare's maximum phase, indicating potential preconditioning effects from the flare's preparatory stages. August 7th witnessed an X1.51 flare, along with multiple M-class flares. The peak electron temperature of 2088K and the TEC maximum of 35.3 units were observed at 7 UT, again preceding the X1.51 flare's peak, suggesting the influence of precursor effects. Throughout the observation period, the data exhibited typical diurnal patterns in ion temperatures and TEC, consistent with regular ionospheric behavior driven by solar radiation intensity variations. The study's findings provide evidence of the ionosphere's responsive nature to intense solar flare activity, with significant enhancements in electron temperatures and TEC observed during flare events. Notably, the effects were evident not only during the peak flare phases but also several hours prior, potentially due to the arrival of energetic particles or precursor electromagnetic radiation, indicating the influence of preconditioning processes. Furthermore, the data suggests that solar flares can impact the ionosphere's chemistry and dynamics, as inferred from changes in the "Ion Percentage" parameter, representing relative ionospheric compositions. Continuous monitoring and analysis of such events across different geophysical conditions are crucial for advancing the understanding of solar-terrestrial interactions and their impacts on space-based technologies, contributing to the development of improved space weather prediction and mitigation strategies.