Heavy Ion Composition

Heavy ions like carbon, oxygen, and iron in the solar wind offer clues about where the wind originated. These ions show clear differences between slow and fast solar wind, with transitions in their abundance patterns near 400 kilometers per second. This supports the idea of two broad types of wind, but also reveals possible mass- or charge-dependent effects that shape the ion mix, especially in fast wind. Helium, again, stands out with a distinct pattern compared to heavier ions.

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