BARREL 3A: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric balloon campaigns from 2013 to 2016 collected this data. The BARREL mission, a NASA Living with a Star project, measured 48-channel Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra with 4-second resolution to study relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. Over 50 small stratospheric balloons were launched across four campaigns.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array measurements.
• Characterize the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on X-ray spectrometer data.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from other missions.
• Analyze ULF-timescale magnetic field variations using the complementary DC magnetometer data mentioned.

Strengths

• Data collected from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns, providing multiple observational windows.
• Spectra cover a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV across 48 channels.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space-based instruments.

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 stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 12:24:02.299087; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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