BARREL 2X: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 4-Second Resolution

Over 50 stratospheric balloon flights collected 48-channel X-ray spectra to study relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. The BARREL mission, a NASA Living with a Star project, launched campaigns from Antarctica (2013-2014) and Sweden (2015-2016) in coordination with the Van Allen Probes. Data provides medium time resolution (4 seconds) measurements of bremsstrahlung X-rays in an energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV.

Use Cases

• Characterizing the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array measurements.
• Studying radiation belt losses by correlating balloon X-ray data with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements.
• Analyzing temporal variations in electron precipitation using 4-second resolution X-ray spectra.
• Modeling atmospheric bremsstrahlung X-ray production from precipitating relativistic electrons.

Strengths

• Provides the first balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation alongside comprehensive in-situ measurements.
• Data spans four campaigns from 2013 to 2016 with over 50 balloon launches.
• Spectra cover a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV across 48 channels.

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 approximately 20 kg stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 12:33:37.026679; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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