BARREL 1K: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 2013-2016

Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric balloon campaigns from 2013 to 2016 collected this data. The BARREL mission measured four channels of fast time resolution (50 ms) bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from 0 to 1.5 MeV to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. It was a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity designed to augment the Van Allen Probes.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on multi-channel X-ray spectra.
• Characterize the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on balloon array measurements.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes.
• Analyze ULF-timescale magnetic field variations in coordination with magnetometer data mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Provides four channels of fast time resolution data at 50 ms intervals.
• Covers a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 1.5 MeV.
• Data collected from over 50 stratospheric balloon launches across four campaigns.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space instruments.

Limitations

• 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

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

Time Range

2013 to 2016

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 14:10:54.610255; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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