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 a nominal 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 four campaigns from Antarctica (2013, 2014) and Sweden (2015, 2016).

Use Cases

• Analyze electron precipitation events based on 32-second resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterize spatial scales of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon array measurements.
• Correlate precipitation with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements based on the mission's coordination design.
• Study ULF-timescale magnetic field variations based on the DC magnetometer data 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 spanning 2013 to 2016.
• Coordinated measurements with Van Allen Probes 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.
• Data files are in BIN, PDF, TEXT, HTML formats, requiring specialized tools for analysis.

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 04:09:57.662660; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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