Dynamics of solar wind heavy ion fluxes and some characteristics of the solar corona

Measurements of fluxes of protons, α-particles and heavy ions in solar wind conducted using Prognoz-7 satellite (1978-1979) are described. Heavy ions are shown to be always present in solar wind and are recorded almost always when conditions enable to observe them. Six periods with duration from 1.5 to 3 days, when ions of oxygen, silicon and iron were continuously recorded in low- and mean-velocity (vp≤450 km/s) solar wind, are investigated in detail. Variations of hourly average and daily average values of content of oxygen, silicon and iron and of their ionization temperatures are considered. The latters remain approximately constant (within ±30 % accuracy limit), while content may variate by order of magnitude. It is determined, that daily average content of heavy ions (and of helium) decreases essentially with concentration (or flow magnitude) of protons and content changes proportionally for all ions, which are heavier than protons. 23 refs.; 4 figs.; 3 tabs