For those coming to the workshop...

Our data is almost ready for it's new release for both Level 1 and Level 2 data (Level 1 is mostly in units from the raw data set and Level 2 is a more processed level that gives the data in real units). On our wiki we've provided a link to the current pre-release versions with all the qualifiers written out so that you have a chance to prepare for the workshop.

Safe travels and see you all soon. 

1 Week until the Workshop.

I hope you all are as excited as I am about this workshop. It'll be the first time a large portion of our team along with the Van Allen Probe teams will be able to get together, sit down, and start working though our data! It's always so much easier to do this face to face.

We have so many exciting events to look at, but we've narrowed it down to three time periods (and really just days to keep it simple) January 17th 2013, January 26th 2013, and February 2nd 2013. If you miss us in MN, a number of the team will be at GEM and I (Alexa) will also be at IAGA in August and the Cluster meeting this September. This past campaign has been incredibly successful, but no time to stop and smell the roses, we're getting ready for the 2014 campaign! 

This workshop also gives me a great excuse to go back and visit my Alma Mater Augsburg. It's just down the street for UofM. In fact I believe that many from the Augsburg group will be heading to our workshop throughout the week. I can't wait to see them and catch up!

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. I hope you all are enjoying a BBQ and some beautiful weather! Today is a day to remember and give thanks for those who have served our country. We salute you and thank you and your families for your service and sacrifices.

Ballooning has long been tied to the armed forces. There are some great stories which come out of it as well. Did you know that Area 51 and the UFO stories are likely tied to a ballooning project called Skyhook? 

Skyhook. There is a great blog post by EagleSpeak

Stratoscope was yet another great set of missions used to look at our sun and other worlds. Stratoscope looked at Mars. Just think, someday soon instead of using Earth bound balloons to study Mars, we might have balloons on Mars studying the Martian system. Although according to this NASA Quest page, balloons on Mars wouldn't make sense due to the low atmosphere, so perhaps Balloons on Venus would be a better plan. 

Stratoscope II on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. 

These are just some of the many great ballooning missions to come out of the University of Minnesota (where our workshop will be held next week) and the Navy. You can find many great photos from both projects on google! 

Have a great day!

BARREL Image is NASA Image of the Day!

Check it out here:

BARREL Launch of Payload 1V from SANAE IV

--Brett Anderson

As it is no longer the first photo up, I've added it here. So exciting that we were featured!

Reminder BARREL Telecon today at 3:00 EST

Hi all,


Just a friendly reminder that we are having our bi-weekly science telecon today at 3:00. It should be a great one! Larua Blum with REPTILE is going to talk about some conjunctions we saw with them. Also, not much time before the BARREL/Van Allen Workshop. Make sure to book your tickets to the midwest.

Talk to you all soon,

BARREL/Van Allen Workshop in June

In case you haven't heard and would like to attend, we are having our BARREL/Van Allen Science working group workshop June 4 - 6th in Minneapolis MN. It should be a blast. We will be focusing on three days Jan 17th, Jan 26th, and Feb. 2nd. There were quiet a few good events and interesting times to look at so it should be an exciting conversation!

This Monday's telecon will again have a science talk as well as a discussion about the format of the workshop. Please feel free to join us!


Hope to see you all there.