Review of energetic (> 20 ke V) bremsstrahlung X-ray measurements from satellites

Worldwide maps of electron precipitation into the atmosphere can be obtained remotely with a unique separation of spatial and temporal variations by sensing from a satellite the bremsstrahlung X-rays produced in the atmosphere by the incident electrons. From X-ray measurements electron fluxes and energy spectra can be derived over a broad range of energies under both daytime and nighttime conditions. The technique was first demonstrated in 1972 and has now been used sucessfully in several programs. The most continuous and widespread coverage can clearly be achieved from high altitudes, but even at only a few hundred kilometers it has been possible to obtain mappings over a wide area since bremsstrahlung X-ray fluxes are often rather steady in time during the few minute duration of a low altitude satellite pass over the polar region. The satellite bremsstrahlung data already acquired have provided information on the long term morphology of the total fluxes and energy spectra of bremsstrahlung X-rays emitted from a large area and have shown that pronounced longitude structure commonly occurs in the X-ray emissions. The data have tended to be complementary in nature to that obtained by the more well established technique of measuring bremsstrahlung X-rays from balloons, whereby time variations can be studied in detail with more limited geographic coverage. From balloons it is known that the X-rays show a variety of time variations, but many of the faster microburst type phenomena have yet to be observed from satellites. The present status of satellite bremsstrahlung X-ray measurements is reviewed here, some of the key results summarized and suggestions made for future improvements in instrumentation. The review is limited to X-rays > 20 ke V and therefore to the associated precipitation of only the more energetic electrons.