C iii(λ1176 Å)/C iii(λ977 Å) ratio during solar flare events (indicated by asterisks) with respect to their quiescent values (indicated by triangles). Because the TIMED and SORCE spectra totally overlap in rare cases, time shifts occur. Therefore the values of the carbon ion ratio should be treated with caution. However, a possible trend of the ratio increasing during solar flaring can be seen from the plot.