BARREL 3C X-ray Spectrometer: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectrum Data

Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric balloon campaigns collected 256-channel X-ray spectra to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. The BARREL mission, a NASA Living with a Star project, launched over 50 balloons from Halley Bay, SANAE IV, and Kiruna between 2013 and 2016. Data provides 32-second slow time resolution measurements of bremsstrahlung X-rays from 0 MeV to 10 MeV.

Use Cases

• Modeling electron loss from radiation belts based on bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra
• Characterizing spatial scales of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon array measurements
• Correlating precipitation events with in-situ plasma wave data from the Van Allen Probes mission
• Studying ULF-timescale magnetic field variations using the DC magnetometer data mentioned

Strengths

• 256 spectral channels covering a nominal energy range from 0 MeV to 10 MeV
• Data collected from over 50 stratospheric balloon launches across four campaigns
• Coordinated measurements with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space 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 BIN, PDF, TEXT, HTML formats; preprocessing for analysis is likely required

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 January-February 2013, 2014, August 2015, and August 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:35:46.404944; freshness should be verified

Geography

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