BARREL MSPC: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Antarctic and Arctic Balloon Campaigns

BARREL balloon campaigns collected data near latitudes close to the Antarctic and Arctic circles at stratospheric altitudes. The dataset contains 48 channels of medium time resolution, 4-second, Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra detected with a NaI Scintillator, covering an energy range from 0 MeV to 4 MeV. It was produced by NASA as part of the BARREL mission, with campaigns conducted in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Use Cases

• Analyze relativistic electron precipitation events based on the 48-channel X-ray spectra.
• Correlate precipitation timing and intensity with magnetic field variations based on the DC magnetometer data mentioned.
• Characterize the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on the balloon array observations.
• Study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts based on the mission's stated scientific objectives.

Strengths

• Data collected from over 50 stratospheric balloons launched across four campaigns.
• Provides measurements coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space instruments.
• The nominal energy range is explicitly stated as 0 MeV to 4 MeV.

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, which may require specialized 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 January-February 2013 and 2014, and August 2015 and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:33:22.885747; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Launches from Halley Bay, Antarctica; SANAE IV base, Antarctica; and Esrange Space Center, Kiruna, Sweden.