Satellite observations of polar, magnetotail lobe, and interplanetary electrons at low energies

Low‐altitude satellite observations of the low‐energy electron fluxes that populate the polar regions are summarized and classified into two groups: class 1, the very low intensity distributions, and class 2, the more intense, often structured distributions observed during magnetically disturbed conditions. High‐altitude observations of electron fluxes, including the solar wind and the tail lobes, are presented to suggest that class 1 observations are the result of direct access of interplanetary electrons through the lobes into the polar regions. Class 2 observations may be due in part to magnetospheric processes.