BARREL 4G Rate Counter (RCNT) NaI Scintillator Diagnostics, Level 2, 4 s Data

BARREL 4G Rate Counter data consists of 4-second accumulations of diagnostic rate counts from balloon-borne instruments. The BARREL mission, a NASA Living with a Star Mission of Opportunity, launched over 50 stratospheric balloons from Antarctica and Sweden between 2013 and 2016 to study electron losses from Earth's Radiation Belts. The data provides measurements of relativistic electron precipitation, coordinated with the Van Allen Probes mission.

Use Cases

• Analyzing spatial and temporal variations of electron precipitation based on balloon-borne X-ray spectrometer measurements.
• Characterizing the spatial scale of precipitation at relativistic energies based on the mission's diagnostic data.
• Correlating balloon measurements with in situ plasma wave and energetic particle data from other missions.
• Studying ULF-timescale magnetic field variations based on the DC magnetometer data mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Data is part of a coordinated NASA mission of opportunity, designed to augment the Van Allen Probes.
• Over 50 stratospheric balloons were launched across four campaigns spanning 2013 to 2016.
• Provides the first balloon measurements of relativistic electron precipitation alongside comprehensive in situ measurements.

Limitations

• Rate count data are diagnostic fields with uncalibrated energy ranges and wrap near or above 16384 counts/s.
• 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

Measurements from rate counters on balloon-borne X-ray spectrometers and DC magnetometers.

Time Range

Balloon campaigns conducted in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:32:18.949463; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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