BARREL 2Y: Fast-Resolution Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

Six channels of fast time resolution (50 ms) Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI scintillator, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 1.5 MeV. The data was collected by the NASA BARREL mission, a multiple-balloon investigation designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts, launched from Antarctica (2013-2014) and Sweden (2015-2016). Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across four campaigns, providing measurements to augment the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal variations in electron precipitation based on 50 ms time resolution X-ray spectra
• Characterize spatial scales of relativistic electron precipitation based on balloon constellation data
• Correlate balloon X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes
• Study the relationship between magnetic field variations and X-ray spectra using concurrent magnetometer data
• Map precipitation events across magnetic local time based on balloon array deployments

Strengths

• Provides 50 ms time resolution across six spectral channels (FSPC1a, FSPC1b, FSPC1c, FSPC2, FSPC3, FSPC4)
• Data collected from over 50 balloon launches across four campaigns spanning 2013 to 2016
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and ground-based instruments like EISCAT

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 stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:38:41.801514; freshness should be verified

Geography

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