Magnetospheric Electron Precipitation Recorded in the Atmosphere at Middle and Polar Latitudes in 2022–2023

The study of precipitation of high-energy electrons from the magnetosphere into the Earth’s atmosphere is important for studying the physical mechanisms of electron acceleration during interplanetary disturbances in near-Earth space, the processes of formation of trapped electron fluxes in the magnetosphere and their subsequent precipitation into the atmosphere. In addition, the precipitating electrons affect the spacecraft operation and often lead to significant destruction of mesospheric ozone, etc. Since 1957, the Dolgoprudny Scientific Station of the Lebedev Physical Institute has been conducting continuous measurements of cosmic ray fluxes at altitudes of 0–30 km in the atmosphere of polar latitudes (Murmansk oblast, Antarctica) and at middle latitude (Moscow oblast). During this time, almost 600 cases of electron precipitation were recorded, mainly from the Earth’s outer radiation belt near its polar boundary due to measurement in Murmansk oblast. At the same time, several cases of electron precipitation were recorded at mid-latitude (Moscow oblast) and at the Mirny station in Antarctica, in particular, in 2022–2023. The paper discusses interplanetary and geomagnetic conditions during these events. Analysis of measurement data in the stratosphere made it possible to establish the absorption spectra of secondary bremsstrahlung photons and, on their basis, using the method we developed, to determine the primary energy spectra of precipitating magnetospheric electrons.