BARREL 4B: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra with 10 ms Resolution from Balloon Campaigns

30 channels of ultra-fast time resolution (10 ms) Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra data from the BARREL mission's balloon campaigns. The data were collected by NASA to study electron losses from Earth's radiation belts, with campaigns conducted from Antarctica in 2013-2014 and from Sweden in 2015-2016. Over 50 stratospheric balloon flights were launched across the four campaigns.

Use Cases

• Analyzing relativistic electron precipitation events based on 10 ms resolution X-ray spectra.
• Studying spatial and temporal variations in electron loss based on multi-balloon constellation data.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on balloon array measurements.
• Correlating balloon-based X-ray measurements with in-situ satellite data from the Van Allen Probes.

Strengths

• Provides 30 channels of spectral data with ultra-fast 10 ms time resolution.
• Data collected from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns spanning 2013 to 2016.
• Designed to provide the first balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation alongside comprehensive in-situ satellite data.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data are not filtered by altitude; users must check the EPHM file for measurement altitude before use.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by X-ray spectrometers carried on stratospheric balloons during the BARREL mission.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 11:52:45.932894; 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).