Ionic charge states of N, Ne, Mg, Si and S in solar energetic particle events

The mean ionic charges and source-region temperatures of flare-accelerated N, Ne, Mg, Si and S in three large solar-energetic-particle events during 1978-1979 are determined from ISEE-3 observations, extending the findings of Hovestadt et al. (1981) and Gloeckler et al. (1981) for C, He, O, and Fe. The results are presented in tables and graphs, and the charge states are shown to correspond to different source temperatures even in the same flare, assuming equilibration in the hot plasma. The electron temperatures range from 2 x 10 to the 6th K for C, N, O, Si, and S, 4 x 10 to the 6th K for Ne and Fe, and 7 x 10 to the 6th K for Mg. The possibility that these temperature inconsistencies reflect different stages in the approach to equilibrium is considered.