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

Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric balloon campaigns from 2013 to 2016 collected this data. The BARREL mission, a NASA Living with a Star project, measured bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from 0 to 10 MeV using a NaI scintillator with 256 channels aggregated into a single variable at 32-second resolution. Over 50 small balloons were launched to study relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts in coordination with the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Study relativistic electron precipitation from radiation belts based on bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra.
• Characterize the spatial scale of electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array observations.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes.
• Analyze temporal variations in electron losses based on 32-second resolution spectral data.

Strengths

• Data collected from over 50 stratospheric balloon flights across four campaigns.
• Provides 256-channel X-ray spectra covering a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV.
• First balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation with concurrent in-situ measurements available.

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 stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 13:56:22.749328; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Launches from Halley Bay and SANAE IV, Antarctica, and Esrange Space Center, Kiruna, Sweden.