BARREL MSPC: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

48 channels of medium time resolution, 4 s, 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 Mission of Opportunity, designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts and augment the Van Allen Probes mission. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across four campaigns from Antarctica (2013, 2014) and Sweden (2015, 2016).

Use Cases

• Analyze relativistic electron precipitation events based on the 48-channel X-ray spectra.
• Correlate precipitation timing and intensity with in-situ plasma wave measurements from the Van Allen Probes.
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon constellation data.
• Study ULF-timescale magnetic field variations based on the concurrent DC magnetometer measurements.
• Model radiation belt electron losses based on the multi-year, multi-location campaign data.

Strengths

• Data from over 50 balloon launches across four campaigns provides a multi-year observational record.
• The 48-channel spectrometer provides a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground and space-based instruments.

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 the Antarctic and Arctic launch sites.

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 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:44:33.172616; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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