BARREL 4E XSPC: 30-Channel Bremsstrahlung X-ray Spectra from Balloon Campaigns

The BARREL 4E XSPC dataset provides 30-channel, 50-millisecond resolution Bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra collected by balloon-borne instruments. Over 50 stratospheric balloon flights were conducted across four campaigns from 2013 to 2016, launched from Antarctica and Sweden. This NASA mission was designed to study relativistic electron precipitation from Earth's radiation belts in coordination with the Van Allen Probes.

Use Cases

• Analyzing temporal variations in electron precipitation based on 50 ms time-resolution X-ray spectra.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of relativistic electron precipitation based on multi-balloon array measurements.
• Correlating balloon X-ray measurements with in-situ plasma wave and particle data from the Van Allen Probes.
• Studying Bremsstrahlung X-ray production mechanisms based on 30-channel energy bin data.

Strengths

• Provides 30 channels of spectral data with a fast 50-millisecond time resolution.
• Data from over 50 balloon flights across four campaigns (2013-2016) offers temporal and spatial coverage.
• Measurements are coordinated with comprehensive in-situ data from the Van Allen Probes mission.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data below 25 km altitude are not filtered out, requiring cross-checking with separate EPHM files for measurement altitude.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by X-ray spectrometers carried on stratospheric balloons.

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 11:41:27.635395; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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