Simultaneous polar cap and magnetotail observations of intense polar rain

The significance of acceleration processes in accounting for the energies and temperatures of the electrons seen during periods of intense polar rain is investigated along with the role of the IMF and solar wind in controlling the polar rain. Evidence for an acceleration region is sought by comparing DMSP observations of the precipitating electrons over the polar cap with simultaneous ISEE 1 electron measurements in the conjugate tail lobe at distances between 10 and 22.6 earth radii. The second question is explored by examining the solar wind and IMF conditions during which the intense polar rain events occur. It is found that intense polar rain can pass through the tail lobes without undergoing acceleration between 22.6 earth radii and 800 km altitude.