Composition and energy spectra of heavy nuclei of unknown origin detected on Skylab

At the orbit of Skylab, steeply falling energy spectra of nuclei with atomic numbers of at least 8 and energies between about 10 and 40 MeV/amu at intensities much higher than seen outside the magnetosphere were observed. The composition is consistent with that of the solar corona. It is suggested that heavy solar-wind ions enter the magnetosphere, are accelerated, and populate the inner radiation belt.