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

BARREL 2Y X-ray Spectrometer data provides 48 channels of medium time resolution (4 seconds) Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra from 0 MeV to 4 MeV, combined into a single variable named MSPC. The dataset was produced by NASA's BARREL mission, which launched over 50 stratospheric balloons from Antarctica (2013-2014) and Sweden (2015-2016) to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. Observations were collected at stratospheric altitudes near the Arctic and Antarctic circles to coordinate with the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Modeling relativistic electron precipitation events based on the 48-channel X-ray spectra.
• Analyzing spatial and temporal variations in electron loss based on multi-balloon campaign data.
• Correlating balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies using the balloon array data.

Strengths

• Data is from a coordinated NASA mission (BARREL) designed to augment the Van Allen Probes.
• Over 50 balloon flights were conducted across four campaigns, providing multiple observational points.
• Spectra cover a defined nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV.

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 processing.

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 12:31:24.252333; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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