BARREL 3B: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns, 0.05s Resolution

Six channels of fast time resolution, 50 ms, Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI Scintillator. The BARREL Mission was a multiple-balloon investigation designed to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts, providing the first balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation while comprehensive in situ measurements were available. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched from Antarctica and Sweden across campaigns in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Use Cases

• Study spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation from radiation belts based on multi-channel X-ray spectra.
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon constellation measurements.
• Correlate balloon-based X-ray measurements with in situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes mission.
• Analyze ULF-timescale magnetic field variations using the DC magnetometer data mentioned in the mission description.

Strengths

• Provides six channels of fast time resolution data at 50 ms intervals.
• Covers a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 1.5 MeV across its channels.
• Data collected from over 50 stratospheric balloon launches across four campaigns.
• First balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation with concurrent in situ measurements available.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to balloon launch sites in Antarctica and Sweden.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measurements from 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 12:20:31.537264; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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