BARREL MSPC: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 4-Second Resolution

Four balloon campaigns conducted between 2013 and 2016 collected this data. The dataset contains medium time resolution (4-second) Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from 48 energy channels (0-4 MeV), combined into a single variable named MSPC. It was produced by NASA's BARREL mission, which launched over 50 stratospheric balloons from Antarctica and Sweden to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on the multi-balloon array design.
• Characterize the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on the balloon constellation measurements.
• Correlate X-ray spectra with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes mission.
• Analyze the relationship between Bremsstrahlung X-rays and ULF magnetic field variations measured by onboard magnetometers.

Strengths

• Data collected from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns, providing multiple observational periods.
• Spectra cover a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV across 48 channels.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space-based instruments for multi-instrument studies.

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 PDF, HTML, TEXT, and BIN formats, 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 2026-04-10 04:40:54.442642; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Balloon launches from Halley Bay and SANAE IV base in Antarctica (2013-2014) and Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden (2015-2016).