BARREL 1V X-ray Spectrometer: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectrum Data from Balloon Campaigns

BARREL 1V X-ray Spectrometer Level 2 data provides 4-second resolution Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from 48 energy channels covering 0 MeV to 4 MeV. The dataset was collected by NASA's BARREL mission, which launched over 50 stratospheric balloons from Antarctica and Sweden between 2013 and 2016 to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. It was designed to augment the Van Allen Probes mission and provides coordinated measurements with ground-based radar systems.

Use Cases

• Analyzing temporal variations in relativistic electron precipitation based on 4-second resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of precipitation events based on multi-balloon array data from campaigns in Antarctica and Sweden.
• Correlating balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes mission.
• Studying the energy distribution of precipitating electrons based on 48-channel spectra covering 0 MeV to 4 MeV.

Strengths

• Data is part of a coordinated NASA Living with a Star mission, providing the first balloon measurements alongside comprehensive in-situ data.
• Covers four major balloon campaigns from 2013 to 2016, with over 50 stratospheric balloon launches.
• Spectra are measured across 48 energy channels, providing detailed energy resolution.

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 analysis.
• Data is provided in multiple formats (PDF, HTML, TEXT, BIN), 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 04:38:42.341240; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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