BARREL 3A: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 32-Second Resolution

Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected by a NaI scintillator with 256 channels covering 0 MeV to 10 MeV, combined into a single variable named SSPC. The data was collected by the BARREL mission's stratospheric balloons during campaigns from 2013 to 2016 to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration produced this Level 2 dataset with a slow time resolution of 32 seconds.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on X-ray spectra measurements.
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon array observations.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray data with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements from the Van Allen Probes.
• Analyze ULF-timescale magnetic field variations in coordination with X-ray spectral data.

Strengths

• Data covers a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV across 256 spectral channels.
• Over 50 stratospheric balloon launches were conducted across four campaigns from 2013 to 2016.
• Campaigns were coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space-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 small stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 12:22:58.248881; 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).