ANOMALOUS COSMIC-RAY HELIUM, NITROGEN AND OXYGEN IN 1996 - MEASUREMENTS OF THE ERNE INSTRUMENT ON-BOARD SOHO

The energy spectra of the anomalous components of helium, nitrogen and oxygen have been measured by the ERNE experiment on board the SOHO sp acecraft. During February 28-April 30, 1996, the maximum intensity of the anomalous helium was found to be 3.8 X 10(-5) cm(-2) sr(-1) s(-1) (MeV nucl(-1))(-1) in the energy range 10-15 MeV nucl(-1). During the period January 26-April 30, 1996, the maximum oxygen intensity was 1.2 X 10(-5) cm(-2) sr(-1) s(-1) (MeV nucl(-1))(-1) at 4-7 MeV nucl(-1), and the maximum nitrogen intensity 1.7 X 10(-6) cm(-2) sr(-1) s(-1) (M eV nucl(-1))(-1) at 4-9 MeV nucl(-1). These peak intensities are at th e same level as two solar cycles ago in 1977, but significantly higher than in 1986. This gives observational evidence for a 22-year solar m odulation cycle. A noteworthy point is that the spectra of anomalous n itrogen and oxygen appear to be somewhat broader than in 1977.