We measured low energy cosmic-ray proton and helium spectra in the kinetic
energy range 0.215 - 21.5 GeV/n at different solar activities during a period
from 1997 to 2002. The observations were carried out with the BESS spectrometer
launched on a balloon at Lynn Lake, Canada. A calculation for the correction of
secondary particle backgrounds from the overlying atmosphere was improved by
using the measured spectra at small atmospheric depths ranging from 5 through
37 g/cm^2. The uncertainties including statistical and systematic errors of the
obtained spectra at the top of atmosphere are 5-7 % for protons and 6-9 % for
helium nuclei in the energy range 0.5 - 5 GeV/n.Comment: 27 pages, 7 Tables, 9 figures, Submitted to Astroparticle Physic