BARREL 2W: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 0.05s Resolution

Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric balloon campaigns from 2013-2016 collected this data. The dataset contains six channels of fast time resolution (50 ms) Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra, with a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 1.5 MeV, measured by the BARREL Mission. It was produced by NASA to study relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal variations in electron precipitation based on the 50 ms time resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterize the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array measurements.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ satellite plasma wave and particle data mentioned in the description.
• Study the relationship between magnetic field variations and electron precipitation using the described DC magnetometer data.

Strengths

• Provides 50 ms time resolution across six spectral channels (FSPC1a, FSPC1b, FSPC1c, FSPC2, FSPC3, FSPC4).
• Covers over 50 stratospheric balloon launches across four campaigns from 2013 to 2016.
• 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 and DC magnetometers carried on small stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 13 12:39:48.049024; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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