Suprathermal Ions

Suprathermal ions have more energy than regular solar wind particles but less than those in solar storms. These particles seem to come from both continuous processes (like turbulence or magnetic reconnection) and past energetic events (like solar flares or shocks). Their composition and energy patterns vary with the solar cycle, suggesting that during quiet periods, they are leftover from previous events. Their consistent power-law energy distribution supports the idea that multiple overlapping processes contribute to their formation.