ИСТИНА

The high altitude electric discharges observed as Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGF) and Transient Luminous Events (TLE) and magnetosphere electron precipitation (MEP) are very significant elements of the Global Electric Circuit. These phenomena were observed during the space experiment with RELEC (Relativistic Electrons) instruments on board Vernov satellite from July to December, 2014. The solar-synchronous orbit with small eccentricity (640x830 km), inclination about 98o and period ~98 min provides the favourable conditions for the MEP study as TGF and TLE observations in different areas of the Atmosphere including Equatorial and Polar Regions. The main instrument for TGF and MEP study was gamma-ray and electron spectrometer DRGE consisted from four identical gamma ray (0.01- 3.0 MeV) detectors with total area about 500 cm2 directed toward the Nadir and three electron (0.2 - 15.0 MeV) detectors with normally directed axes, each with geometry factor ~ 2 сm2sr that allowed to estimate electron flux anisotropy. The RELEC complex of instruments also includes ultraviolet (240 – 400 nm) and red (610 – 800 nm) photometer DUV and low frequency (LFA) and radio frequency (RFA) analysers, which provided measurements of three electric field components of radio waves in the range 0.05 – 15 MHz as well as magnetic field and low frequency electromagnetic waves in the range from 0.1 Hz to 40 kHz. The observational modes assumed continuous (monitor) measurement of quanta and particle count rate with time resolution about 1 s as well as event by event mode, in which for every detected quantum or particle its energy and time with ~15 µs accuracy were fixed. As the results of observations the dozens of candidates in TGFs and thousands of UV and red flashes most likely associated with TLEs and lightning were detected. The MEPs were also observed regularly in different areas of near Earth space. Some of TGF candidates and UV flashes were observed at high latitudes in the regions far away from thunderstorms, but near the MEP areas that could indicate on possible connection between TGF and TLE, i.e. high altitude discharges and MEP. Such observations were continued on Lomonosov satellite which was launched April 28, 2016 on the solar-synchronous orbit with 490 km altitude and inclination ~98o. The number of instruments on board Lomonosov includes the electron detectors and gamma ray spectrometer BDRG intended mainly for cosmic gamma ray burst observations. However, the last can also detect sub-relativistic and relativistic electrons by their bremsstrahlung, thus one can use the BDRG instrument for MEP study, which first results are discussed.