BARREL 2A: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 4-Second Resolution

48 channels of medium time resolution, 4-second Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI Scintillator, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV. The BARREL Mission was a NASA Living with a Star investigation involving over 50 stratospheric balloon flights from Antarctica (2013-2014) and Sweden (2015-2016) to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts. Data was collected to augment the Van Allen Probes mission by providing measurements of spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of relativistic electron precipitation based on balloon-borne X-ray spectrometer measurements.
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on multi-balloon campaign data.
• Correlate electron loss events with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes mission.
• Analyze Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra in the 0-4 MeV energy range for atmospheric collision studies.

Strengths

• Data from over 50 stratospheric balloon flights across four campaigns provides multiple observational perspectives.
• 48 spectral channels with 4-second time resolution offer detailed temporal profiles of X-ray emissions.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space-based instruments for contextual analysis.

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 statistical modeling.

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 January-February 2013, 2014, and August 2015, 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 13:38:05.355119; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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