BARREL 1G Rate Counter: 4-Second Accumulations of Uncalibrated X-Ray Counts

NASA's BARREL mission collected over 50 stratospheric balloon flights measuring relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. The data product consists of 4-second accumulations of rate counter measurements from NaI scintillators, with values wrapping near or above 16384 counts/s. Campaigns were conducted from Antarctica in 2013-2014 and from Sweden in 2015-2016 in coordination with the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal variations in electron precipitation based on 4-second rate count accumulations.
• Characterize the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array measurements.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes.
• Study ULF-timescale magnetic field variations using the complementary DC magnetometer data mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Data from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns (2013-2016).
• Provides the first balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation alongside comprehensive in-situ measurements.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground-based instruments like EISCAT.

Limitations

• Rate count values are uncalibrated and wrap near or above 16384 counts/s, which may complicate direct interpretation.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measurements from rate counters on stratospheric balloons carrying X-ray spectrometers and DC magnetometers.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 04:24:57.839523; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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