BARREL 2E: Fast Time Resolution Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra

Six channels of fast time resolution (50 ms) Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from the BARREL mission, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 1.5 MeV. The data was collected by NASA's BARREL balloon campaigns from Antarctica and Sweden between 2013 and 2016 to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts. The mission was designed to augment the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Study electron precipitation spatial scales based on multi-channel X-ray spectra.
• Analyze temporal variations of electron precipitation based on 50 ms time resolution data.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes.
• Model radiation belt losses based on stratospheric balloon observations collected near polar circles.

Strengths

• Data provides 50 ms time resolution across six spectral channels.
• Over 50 stratospheric balloon launches were conducted across four campaigns.
• Data collection was coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground-based instruments.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by X-ray spectrometers carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

Campaigns conducted in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:56:06.381215; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Launches from Halley Bay, Antarctica; SANAE IV base, Antarctica; and Esrange Space Center, Kiruna, Sweden.