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

256-channel slow time resolution X-ray spectra from the BARREL balloon mission, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV. The data was collected by NASA to study electron precipitation from Earth's Radiation Belts, with campaigns conducted from Antarctica in 2013-2014 and Sweden in 2015-2016. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across the four campaigns.

Use Cases

• Characterize spatial scales of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array measurements.
• Correlate X-ray spectra with plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes mission.
• Study temporal variations in electron precipitation based on 32-second time resolution spectra.
• Analyze magnetic local time dependencies of precipitation events based on balloon constellation positioning.

Strengths

• Data provides the first balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation alongside comprehensive in-situ measurements.
• Over 50 balloon payloads were launched across four campaigns, providing spatial and temporal coverage.
• Spectra cover a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV across 256 channels.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to campaigns focused on Antarctic and Arctic circles.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured with X-ray spectrometers and DC magnetometers carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

Campaigns conducted in January-February 2013, 2014, August 2015, and August 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:52:36.371501; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Launch sites: Halley Bay, Antarctica; SANAE IV base, Antarctica; Esrange Space Center, Kiruna, Sweden.