BARREL 2Q: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 32-Second Resolution

Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric balloon campaigns collected this data between 2013 and 2016. The dataset contains 256-channel, 32-second resolution bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from 0 to 10 MeV, measured by NaI scintillators to study relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. It was produced by NASA as part of the BARREL mission to augment the Van Allen Probes.

Use Cases

• Modeling spatial scales of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array measurements.
• Correlating X-ray flux with in-situ plasma wave data from the Van Allen Probes mission.
• Analyzing temporal variations in electron loss using 32-second resolution spectral time series.
• Studying the relationship between magnetic field ULF variations and precipitation events using co-located magnetometer data.

Strengths

• Data spans four major campaigns from 2013 to 2016 with over 50 balloon launches.
• Provides 256-channel spectral resolution across a 0-10 MeV energy range.
• First balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation coordinated with comprehensive in-situ satellite data.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data files are in specialized formats (BIN, PDF, TEXT, HTML), which may require specific tools for analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

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

Time Range

2013 to 2016

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 12:49:17.024398; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Balloon launches from Halley Bay and SANAE IV, Antarctica (2013-2014) and Esrange Space Center, Kiruna, Sweden (2015-2016).