Possible role of transients on the energy spectra of energetic particles at the solar wind termination shock

We suggest that a series of merged interaction regions interacted with the solar wind termination shock for several years prior to its crossing by Voyager 1 in December 2004 and created the observed spectral shape of energetic particles. We also find that the charge-state of He with 3 to 70 MeV/nuc and O with 1 to 14 MeV/nuc is +1 and that the rigidity dependence of the diffusion coefficient from 170 MV to 2.7 GV is given by