BARREL 2I: Fast-Resolution Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

Six channels of fast time resolution (50 ms) Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI Scintillator, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 1.5 MeV. The data was collected by the NASA BARREL mission, a multiple-balloon investigation designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts, with campaigns conducted from Antarctica (2013-2014) and Sweden (2015-2016). Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across four campaigns, providing measurements to augment the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Study temporal variations in relativistic electron precipitation based on the 50 ms time resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on the multi-balloon array data mentioned in the description.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes, as referenced in the mission design.
• Analyze the energy spectra of bremsstrahlung X-rays across the six instrument channels (FSPC1a-FSPC4).

Strengths

• Provides fast time resolution data at 50 milliseconds per measurement.
• Covers four distinct balloon campaigns from 2013 to 2016, involving over 50 launched balloons.
• Data collection was coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground-based instruments like EISCAT.

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.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by X-ray spectrometers and a DC magnetometer carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 13:12:10.239076; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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