Fast Atmospheric Light Pulsations (FAP's) consist of millisecond time-scale bursts of light which have been observed at L=1.5--2.2 during searches for atmospheric light emissions associated with supernovae. Their statistics of occurrence resemble those of Lightning-induced Electron Precipitation (Trimpi events) observed at somewhat higher L-shells. Here we propose that FAP's are in fact optical signatures of LEP events associated with the ≥2 MeV electrons of the inner radiation belt (L≈1.4). These electrons would precipitate at low altitudes and could be modulated with time scales the order of 1 ms. The total loss rate of electrons from the inner belt resulting from these events would be comparable to, but somewhat smaller than, the loss rate due to Coulomb scattering. |