Spatial Distribution of the Precipitations of the Intensive Energetic Electron Fluxes into the Ionosphere within the 23rd and 24th Solar Cycles

Abstract: The intense precipitation of energetic electrons (with an energy of tens of keV) from the Earth’s radiation belt (ERB) is one of the most important sources of ionization in the ionosphere and atmosphere. In this paper, we analyze the spatial distribution of electron fluxes with energies greater than 30 keV at an altitude of 850 km using the maximum amount of statistical data available today. It is found that the region of electron precipitation from the outer zone of the ERB is shifting over North America to the pole, and over Siberia to the equator. Moreover, in the region of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly (BMA), the intensity of the energetic electron fluxes and its area in the 24th solar cycle decreases compared to the 23rd cycle. Based on the analysis of the distribution of quasi-trapped electrons under the radiation belt at low latitudes confirms the mechanism of their rapid radial transfer from the outer zone of the ERB to the Earth. The results obtained are mainly related to the change in the configuration of the Earth’s magnetic field, as well as to the decrease in solar and geomagnetic activity in the 24th solar cycle.