BARREL 4D X-ray Spectrometer: Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

Four balloon campaigns conducted between 2013 and 2016 from Antarctica and Sweden collected this data. The BARREL mission, a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity, measured 48 channels of Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra with a NaI Scintillator to study electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts. Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched, providing measurements coordinated with the Van Allen Probes and other instruments.

Use Cases

• Studying spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on X-ray spectra measurements.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on balloon array observations.
• Correlating balloon-based X-ray data with in-situ plasma wave and particle measurements from the Van Allen Probes.
• Analyzing ULF-timescale magnetic field variations in conjunction with X-ray spectrometer data.

Strengths

• Data spans four dedicated campaigns from 2013 to 2016, providing multi-year coverage.
• Over 50 balloon launches provide a substantial observational dataset.
• Coordinated measurements with the Van Allen Probes mission and other ground/space-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

2013 to 2016

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 11:44:03.269380; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Balloon launches from Halley Bay and SANAE IV, Antarctica (2013-2014) and Esrange Space Center, Kiruna, Sweden (2015-2016).