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

Antarctic and Swedish stratospheric balloon campaigns collected this data from 2013 to 2016. The dataset contains 256-channel, 32-second resolution bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra (0-10 MeV) from the BARREL mission, designed to study electron losses from Earth's radiation belts. NASA produced the data to augment the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Modeling spatial scales of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon constellation measurements.
• Correlating X-ray flux with in-situ plasma wave data based on the mission's coordinated observation design.
• Analyzing temporal variations in electron precipitation based on the 32-second time resolution spectra.
• Studying magnetospheric conditions during balloon campaigns based on coordinated ground and space-based instrument data.

Strengths

• Data collected from over 50 stratospheric balloon flights across four campaigns.
• Spectra cover a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV across 256 channels.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other 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 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 12:28:20.609806; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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