We investigate possible links between the activity manifestations in the solar corona and conditions in the solar wind. For the reduction of this immense task we have selected 206 events in the solar wind in 1997 – 2000 corresponding to geomagnetic events withAp> 20 (compiled into a database athttp://alpha.sinp.msu.ru/apev). Up to now, 24 events during the epoch of low solar activity (January 1997 – January 1998) are investigated. The solar wind conditions monitored by ACE and WIND spacecraft were traced back to the solar corona observed by SOHO/EIT. The search for coronal signatures which are probably associated with the disturbed solar wind conditions was performed. The coronal sources of these 24 events are identified, namely: eruptions in active regions, filament eruptions and coronal holes. It is shown that halo and partial halo CMEs observed within the SOHO/LASCO sensitivity limits are not necessary indicators of Earth‐directed eruptions, and coronal EUV dimmings can be used as a complementary indicator. We also found that a structure now conventionally called a “sigmoid” cannot be represented as a single S‐shaped loop (flux tube), but exhibits an assembly of many smaller structures. It could be formed and destroyed via eruptions. © 2003 American Institute of Physics