Abundances of secondary elements among the ultra heavy cosmic rays: Results from HEAO-3

Observations of the abundances of elements of charge 62 or Z or = 73 in the cosmic radiation from the HEAO-3 Heavy Nuclei Experiment (HNE) are discussed. These elements, having solar, and presumably source, abundances much less than the heavier Pt and Pb groups, are expected to be largely products of spallation. Thus they are indicators of the conditions prevailing during the propagation of cosmic rays. The abundances have changed from those reported previously due to a different data selection. This results in better charge resolution and in a higher mean energy for the particles. All the particles included were required to have had a cutoff rigidity R sub c 5 GV. This allowed the charge determination to be based solely on the Cherenkov measurement.