BARREL 1C: Fast-Resolution Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

Four channels of fast time resolution, 50 ms, Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI Scintillator. The BARREL Mission was a multiple-balloon investigation designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts, augmenting the Van Allen Probes mission. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched from Antarctica and Sweden between 2013 and 2016.

Use Cases

• Analyzing temporal variations in electron precipitation based on the 50 ms fast time resolution data.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon constellation measurements.
• Correlating X-ray spectra with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements from the Van Allen Probes.
• Studying the relationship between magnetic field variations and electron precipitation using concurrent magnetometer data.
• Modeling bremsstrahlung X-ray production from precipitating relativistic electrons colliding with atmospheric neutrals.

Strengths

• Provides four distinct spectral channels (FSPC1-FSPC4) covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 1.5 MeV.
• Offers fast time resolution measurements at 50 ms intervals.
• Data collection spans multiple campaigns from 2013 to 2016, involving over 50 balloon launches.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data files are in specialized formats (BIN, PDF, TEXT, HTML) requiring specific tools for analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by X-ray spectrometers and DC magnetometers carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

Campaigns conducted in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 04:28:03.824017; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Balloon launches from Halley Bay and SANAE IV in Antarctica, and Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden.