BARREL 4B: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Stratospheric Balloons

256 channels of slow time resolution X-ray spectra detected with a NaI scintillator, covering energies from 0 MeV to 10 MeV. The BARREL mission launched over 50 stratospheric balloons from Antarctica and Sweden between 2013 and 2016 to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. This dataset was collected by NASA as part of the Living with a Star program to augment the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Analyze electron precipitation events based on 32-second resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterize spatial scales of relativistic electron precipitation based on balloon constellation data.
• Correlate precipitation events with in-situ plasma wave measurements from the Van Allen Probes.
• Study temporal variations of electron losses based on multi-year campaigns from 2013 to 2016.

Strengths

• 256 spectral channels provide detailed energy resolution from 0 MeV to 10 MeV.
• Data collected from over 50 stratospheric balloon flights across four campaigns.
• Coordinated measurements with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground-based instruments.

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 stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:33:14.483431; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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