Physics & Astronomy Space Plasma Seminar - Prof. Robyn Millan, Dartmouth College
Brett Anderson & Sapna Shekhar Title: "Preliminary Science Results from the BARREL 2015 Sweden Campaign"
Abstract: BARREL (Balloon Array for Radiation Belt Electron Losses) is a balloon experiment designed to study the atmospheric loss of radiation belt electrons. Each balloon measures the bremsstrahlung X-rays produced by precipitating relativistic electrons as they collide with neutrals in Earth’s atmosphere. The BARREL team conducted their third balloon campaign in Kiruna, Sweden in August 2015, launching a total of seven balloons. We present an overview of the Sweden campaign, focusing on observations of electron microburst precipitation made on August 13, 2015 in conjunction with observations by a number of LEO spacecraft (FIREBIRD II, AC6, and POES). The combined observations will allow us to probe the spatial scale and structure of microburst precipitation. This presentation will provide a status report towards that goal.