BARREL SSPC: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

256 channels of slow time resolution, 32 s, Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI Scintillator, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV. The BARREL Mission was a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity, designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across campaigns from Antarctica (2013, 2014) and Sweden (2015, 2016).

Use Cases

• Analyze electron precipitation events based on 32-second time resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterize spatial scales of precipitation based on balloon constellation data from multiple magnetic local times.
• Correlate precipitation with plasma wave measurements based on coordination with the Van Allen Probes mission.
• Study magnetic field variations based on concurrent DC magnetometer measurements mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• 256 spectral channels provide detailed energy resolution from 0 MeV to 10 MeV.
• Data collected from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns.
• Coordinated measurements with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground-based instruments.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to balloon launch sites in Antarctica and Sweden.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Balloon-borne X-ray spectrometer measurements.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 04:12:19.002830; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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