High Energy Electrons at Low Latitudes: Is Their Connection with Thunderstorms Possible?

This work is dedicated to a study of near-equatorial electron distribution in the ionosphere under the radiation belts. Sporadic 100 keV electron splashes have been registered at near-equatorial latitudes. The longitudinal dependence has been found in the distribution of these splashes. The results have been compared with satellite data of thunderstorms registration, through this it was found that the areas of electron registering coincide morphologically with near-equatorial atmospheric systems. It is discussed that lightning charges could be one of causes of such electrons. The lithospheric-ionospheric coupling could be an extra source of energetic electrons near the equator.