Terrestrial gamma-ray flash electron observation with SAMPEX

Terrestrial gamma-ray flash (TGF) emissions are predicted to be accompanied by energetic electron emissions. These electrons have been suggested to explain several anomalous TGF observations by the RHESSI and BATSE spacecraft and additionally provide a new window for study of TGFs as they carry additional information about the source through their pitch angle and arrival time distributions and confinement by the geomagnetic field. This information could prove very useful for analysis of TGF source mechanisms. We present results of simulations of electron and photon emissions and describe the implications of these results for inferences about the TGF source. We also present new results of a search of recent data from the SAMPEX satellite for these electrons in conjunction with a detailed search of very-low frequency (VLF) radio data for possible coincident lightning. Possible inferences from these observations and their implications for TGF source altitude, photon emission directional distribution, and meteorological connections will be discussed.