BARREL 1V: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns 2013-2016

Data from the 2013-2016 BARREL balloon campaigns measuring bremsstrahlung X-rays from precipitating relativistic electrons. The dataset contains 256-channel spectra with a 32-second time resolution, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV, collected by NASA. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched from Antarctica and Sweden to study electron losses from Earth's radiation belts.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on the multi-balloon array design described.
• Characterize the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on the stated purpose of the BARREL data.
• Correlate balloon X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes, as mentioned in the description.
• Analyze ULF-timescale magnetic field variations in conjunction with X-ray spectra, as each balloon carried a DC magnetometer.

Strengths

• Data collected from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns (2013-2016), providing a multi-year observational record.
• 256 spectral channels covering a broad nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV.
• Designed to coordinate with comprehensive in-situ measurements from the Van Allen Probes mission.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data files are in specialized formats (BIN, PDF, TEXT, HTML), which may require specific 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

2013 to 2016

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 13:40:04.563726; 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).