BARREL 1K: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 32-Second Resolution

Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across four campaigns from Antarctica and Sweden to study electron precipitation. The BARREL 1K dataset provides 256-channel Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra with 32-second resolution, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV. This NASA mission was designed to augment the Van Allen Probes by providing spatial and temporal measurements of relativistic electron losses from Earth's radiation belts.

Use Cases

• Analyzing temporal variations in relativistic electron precipitation based on 32-second resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of electron precipitation events based on multi-balloon constellation data.
• Correlating balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes.
• Studying the relationship between magnetic field variations and electron precipitation using concurrent magnetometer data mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Data collected from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns, providing extensive observational coverage.
• Spectra cover a nominal energy range of 0 MeV to 10 MeV across 256 channels.
• Coordinated measurements with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground-based instruments like EISCAT radar.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for large-scale statistical analysis.
• Data is provided in multiple formats (BIN, PDF, TEXT, HTML), which may require specialized tools for processing.

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 14:10:23.597450; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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