Ulysses observations of energetic ions over the south pole of the Sun

We present here observations of energetic ions during the following phases of the Ulysses prime mission: the first south polar pass, the low-latitude pass and part of the first north polar pass. Peaks are observed in the energetic ion intensity which recur either once per solar rotation during the ascent to high southern latitudes, or twice per rotation during the low latitude pass. The intensity of the peaks also rises with each major solar event, decaying slowly thereafter over a period of several rotations. The peaks are observed up to similar to 70 degrees during the ascent to high southern latitudes, but not seen again until around 45 degrees during the descent, this asymmetry most likely being caused by a decrease in the number of solar events.