Contributions
Selected Published Literature
Peer-Reviewed Publications
28 - S. J. VanBommel, J. A. Berger, E. B. Rampe, and C. M. Heirwegh (2022), In-Situ X-ray Spectrometers in Space Exploration, in Advances in Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry - Instrumentation, Application and Interpretation, Royal Society of Chemistry, In Press.
27 - S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, J. A. Berger, M. A. McCraig, C. D. O'Connell-Cooper, L. M. Thompson, A. S. Yen, N. I. Boyd, N. L. Lanza, and A. M. Ollila (2022), Constraining the chemical depth profile of a manganese-rich surface layer in Gale crater, Mars. Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, 191, 106410.
26 - D. W. Mittlefehldt, R. Gellert, S. J. VanBommel, R. E. Arvidson, J. W. Ashley, B. C. Clark, L. S. Crumpler, W. H. Farrand, M. P. Golombek, J. A. Grant, R. V. Morris, and C. Schroder (2021), Geology and Geochemistry of Noachian Bedrock and Alteration Events, Meridiani Planum, Mars: MER Opportunity Observations. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 126, 9.
25 - B. C. Clark, V. M. Kolb, A. Steele, C. H. House, N. L. Lanza, P. J. Gasda, S. J. VanBommel, H. E. Newsom, and J. Martinez-Frias (2021), Origin of Life on Mars: Suitability and Opportunities. Life, 11, 539.
24 - A. S. Yen, R. V. Morris, D. W. Ming, S. P. Schwenzer, B. Sutter, D. T. Vaniman, A. H. Treiman, R. Gellert, C. N. Achilles, J. A. Berger, D. F. Blake, N. I. Boyd, T. F. Bristow, S. Chipera, B. C. Clark, P. I. Craig, R. T. Downs, H. B. Franz, T. Gabriel, A. C. McAdam, S. M. Morrison, C. D. O’Connell-Cooper, E. B. Rampe, M. E. Schmidt, L. M. Thompson, and S. J. VanBommel, (2020), Formation of Tridymite and Evidence for a Hydrothermal History at Gale Crater, Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 126, 3.
23 - J. A. Berger, R. Gellert, N. I. Boyd, P. King, M. A. McCraig, C. D. O’Connell-Cooper, M. E. Schmidt, J. G. Spray, L. M. Thompson, S. J. VanBommel, and A. S. Yen, (2020), Elemental composition and chemical evolution of geologic materials in Gale crater, Mars: APXS results from Bradbury Landing to the Vera Rubin Ridge. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 125, 12
22 - L. M. Thompson, J. A. Berger, J. G. Spray, A. A. Fraeman, M. A. McCraig, C. D. O’Connell-Cooper, M. E. Schmidt, S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, A. S. Yen, and N. I. Boyd. (2020), Compositional characteristics of the Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale crater, Mars determined by APXS: Comparison with other Gale crater lithologies and implications for the origin of the ridge. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 125, 10.
21 - K. S. Edgett, S. G. Banham, K. A. Bennett, K. A. Edgar, C. S. Edwards, A. G. Farien, C. M. Fedo, D. M. Fey, J. B. Garvin, J. P. Grotzinger, S. Gupta, M. J. Henderson, C. H. House, N. Mangold, S. M. McLennan, H. E. Newsom, S. K. Rowland, K. L. Siebach, L. M. Thompson, S. J. VanBommel, R. C. Wiens, R. M. Williams, and R. A. Yingst (2020), Extraformational sediment recycling on on Mars. Geosphere, 16, 6, 1508-1537.
20 - S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, N. I. Boyd, J. A. Berger and A. S. Yen (2019), Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer Trace Elements: Situational Sensitivity to Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, and Br. Acta Astronautica, 165, 32-42.
19 - S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, N. I. Boyd, and J. U. Hanania (2019), Empirical Simulations for Further Characterization of the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer: An Introduction to the ACES Program. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 441, 79-87.
18 - J. L. Campbell, D. D. Thompson, E. L. Flannigan, N. G. Holmes, D. W. Tesselaar, and S. J. VanBommel (2019), A re-examination of the fundamental parameters approach to calibration of the Curiosity rover Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 447, 22-29.
17 - R. E. Kronyak, L. C. Kah, K. S. Edgett, S. J. VanBommel, L. M. Thompson, R. C. Wiens, V. Z. Sun, and M. Nachon (2019) Mineral-filled fractures as indicators of multigenerational fluid flow in the Pahrump Hills member of the Murray formation, Gale Crater, Mars. Earth and Space Science, Accepted.
16 - S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, B. C. Clark, and D. W. Ming (2018), Seasonal Atmospheric Argon Variability Measured in the Equatorial Region of Mars by the Mars Exploration Rover Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometers: Evidence for an Annual Argon-Enriched Front. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 123, 2.
15 - V. Z. Sun, K. M. Stack, L. C. Kah, L. M. Thompson, W. Fischer, A. J. Williams, S. S. Johnson, R. C. Weins, R. E. Kronyak, M. Nachon, C. H. House, and S. J. VanBommel, (2018), Late-Stage Diagenetic Concretions in the Murray Formation, Gale Crater, Mars. Icarus, 321, 866-890.
14 - D. W. Mittlefehldt, R. Gellert, S. J. VanBommel, D. W. Ming, A. S. Yen., B. C. Clark, R. V. Morris, C. Schröder, L. S. Crumpler, J. A. Grant, B. L. Jolliff, R. E. Arvidson, W. H. Farrand, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. F. Bell III, B. A. Cohen, G. Klingelhöfer, C. M. Schrader, and James W. Rice, (2018), Diverse Lithologies and Alteration Events on the Rim of Noachian-Aged Endeavour Crater, Meridiani Planum, Mars: In Situ Compositional Evidence. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 123, 5.
13 - C. D. O'Connell-Cooper, L. M. Thompson, J. G. Spray, J. A. Berger, S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, N. I. Boyd, and E. D. DeSouza, (2018), Chemical diversity of sands within the linear and barchan dunes of the Bagnold Dunes, Gale Crater, as revealed by APXS onboard Curiosity. Geophysical Research Letters, 45.
12 - N. T. Stein, R. E. Arvidson, J. A. O'Sullivan, J. G. Catalano, E. A. Guinness, D. V. Politte, R. Gellert, and S. J. VanBommel, (2018), Retrieval of Compositional End-Members From Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity Observations in a Soil-Filled Fracture in Marathon Valley, Endeavour Crater Rim. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 123, 278-290.
11 - S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, J. A. Berger, L. M. Thompson, K. S. Edgett, M. J. McBride, M. E. Minitti, N. I. Boyd, and J. L. Campbell (2017), Modeling and mitigation of sample relief effects applied to chemistry measurements by the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer. X-Ray Spectrometry, 46, 229-236.
10 - J. A. Berger, M. E. Schmidt, R. Gellert, N. I. Boyd, E. D. Desouza, M. R. Izawa, D. W. Ming, G. M. Perrett, E. B. Rampe, S. J. VanBommel, and A. S. Yen, (2017), Zinc and germanium in the sedimentary rocks of Gale Crater on Mars indicate hydrothermal enrichment followed by diagenetic fractionation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 122, 8, 1747-1772.
09 - C. D. O'Connell-Cooper, J. G. Spray, L. M. Thompson, R. Gellert, J. A. Berger, N. I. Boyd, E. D. Desouza, G. M. Perrett, M. Schmidt, S. J. VanBommel, (2017), APXS-derived chemistry of the Bagnold dune sands: Comparisons with Gale Crater soils and the global Martian average. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 122, 2623-2643.
08 - S. J. VanBommel, R. Gellert, J. A. Berger, J. L. Campbell, L. M. Thompson, K. S. Edgett, M. J. McBride, M. E. Minitti, I. Pradler, and N. I. Boyd, (2016), Deconvolution of distinct lithology chemistry through oversampling with the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer. X-Ray Spectrometry, 45, 3, 155-161.
07 - R. E. Arvidson, S. W. Squyres, R. V. Morris, A. H. Knoll, R. Gellert, B. C. Clark, J. G. Catalano, B. L. Jolliff, S. M. McLennan, K. E. Herkenhoff, S. J. VanBommel, D. W. Mittlefehldt, J. P. Grotzinger, E. A. Guinness, J. R. Johnson, J. F. Bell III, W. H. Farrand, N. Stein, V. K. Fox, M. A. Hinkle, W. M. Calvin, and P. A. de Souza Jr, (2016), High Concentrations of Manganese and Sulfur in Deposits on Murray Ridge, Endeavour Crater, Mars. American Mineralogist, 101, 6.
06 - J. A. Berger, M. E. Schmidt, R. Gellert, J. L. Campbell, P. L. King, R. L. Flemming, D. W. Ming, B. C. Clark, I. Pradler, S. J. VanBommel, M. E. Minitti, A. G. Fairén, N. I. Boyd, L. M. Thompson, G. M. Perrett, B. E. Elliott, and E. Desouza, (2016), A global Mars dust composition refined by the Alpha-Particle X-ray Spectrometer in Gale Crater. Geophysical Research Letters, 43, 67-75.
05 - L. M. Thompson, M. E. Schmidt, J. G. Spray, J. A. Berger, A. G. Fairén, J. L. Campbell, G. M. Perrett, N. I. Boyd, R. Gellert, I. Pradler, and S. J. VanBommel, (2016), Potassium-rich sandstones within the Gale impact crater, Mars: The APXS perspective. Geophysical Research Letters, 121, 10, 1981-2003.
04 - N. L. Lanza, R. C. Wiens, R. E. Arvidson, B. C. Clark, W. W. Fischer, R. Gellert, J. P. Grotzinger, J. A. Hurowitz, S. M. McLennan, R. V. Morris, M. S. Rice, J. F. Bell III, J. A. Berger, D. L. Blaney, N. T. Bridges, F. Calef III, J. L. Campbell, S. M. Clegg, A. Cousin, K. S. Edgett, C. Fabre, M. R. Fisk, O. Forni, J. Frydenvang, K. R. Hardy, C. Hardgrove, J. R. Johnson, J. Lasue, S. Le Mouélic, M. C. Malin, N. Mangold, D. W. Ming, H. E. Newson, A. N. Ollila, V. Sautter, S. Schröder, L. M. Thompson, A. H. Treiman, S. J. VanBommel, D. T. Vaniman, and M. Zorzano, (2016), Oxidation of manganese in an ancient aquifer, Kimberley formation, Gale crater, Mars. Geophysical Research Letters, 43, 14, 7398-7407.
03 - J. A. Berger, P. L. King, R. Gellert, J. L. Campbell, N. I. Boyd, I. Pradler, G. M. Perrett, K. S. Edgett, S. J. VanBommel, M. E. Schmidt, and R. E. Lee, (2014), MSL-APXS titanium observation tray measurements: Laboratory experiments and results for the Rocknest fines at the Curiosity field site in Gale Crater, Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 119, 1046-1060.
02 - M. E. Schmidt, J. L. Campbell, R. Gellert, G. M. Perrett, A. H. Treiman, D. K. Blaney, A. Olilla, F. J. Caleff III, L. Edgar, B. E. Elliott, J. P. Grotzinger, J. Hurowitz, P. L. King, M. E. Minitti, V. Sautter, K. Stack, J. A. Berger, J. C. Bridges, B. L. Ehlmann, O. Forni, L. A. Leshin, K. W. Lewis, S. M. McLennan, D. W. Ming, H. Newsom, I. Pradler, S. W. Squyres, E. M. Stolper, L. M. Thompson, S. J. VanBommel, and R. C. Wiens, (2014), Geochemical diversity in first rocks examined by the Curiosity Rover in Gale Crater: Evidence for and significance of an alkali and volatile-rich igneous source. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 119, 1, 64-81.
01 - S. M. McLennan, R. B. Anderson, J. F. Bell III, J. C. Bridges, F. Calef III, J. L. Campbell, B. C. Clark, S. Clegg, P. Conrad, A. Cousin, D. J. Des Marais, G. Dromart, M. D. Dyar, L. A. Edgar, B. L. Ehlmann, C. Fabre, O. Forni, O. Gasnault, R. Gellert, S. Gordon, J. A. Grant, J. P. Grotzinger, S. Gupta, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. A. Hurowitz, P. L. King, S. Le Mouélic, L. A. Leshin, R. Léveillé, K. W. Lewis, N. Mangold, S. Maurice, D. W. Ming, R. V. Morris, M. Nachon, H. E. Newsom, A. M. Ollila, G. M. Perrett, M. S. Rice, M. E. Schmidt, S. P. Schwenzer, K. Stack, E. M. Stolper, D. Y. Sumner, A. H. Treiman, S. J. VanBommel, D. T. Vaniman, A. Vasavada, R. C. Wiens, and R. A. Yingst, (2014), Elemental Geochemistry of Sedimentary Rocks at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars. Science, 343, 6169.
Lead-Author Conference Presentations
Committee on Space Research 44th Scientific Assembly (Athens, Greece, 18 July 2022) Analyses of Mars Dust with PIXL.
53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Virtual, 9 March 2022) High-Throughput Modeling of Surface Coatings and Layering Effects in Mars X-Ray Fluorescence Data.
52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Virtual, 19 March 2021) Simulated Performance of a MSL-Generation APXS in a Lunar Setting.
2020 Canadian Association of Physicists Congress (Hamilton, ON, June 2020) Improving Martian Atmospheric Mixing Constraints at Low-Latitudes with Landed X-ray Spectrometers.
2020 Canadian Association of Physicists Congress: Symposium (Hamilton, ON, 9 June 2020) Enhancing our Understanding of the Habitability, Paleoclimate, and Biological Potential of Ancient Mars with Canada’s Martian In Situ X-ray Spectrometer.
2020 European Geosciences Union (Vienna, Austria, 4 May 2020) Enhancing the Science Return of Landed X-ray Spectrometers on the Mars Rovers
51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 19 March 2020) Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer Atmospheric Results Through Early Mars Year 35: A Comparison with Opportunity APXS, MSL SAM, and Mars Model for Prediction Across Scales.
51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 17 March 2020) Quantification of Volatile Elements Through Spectral Modeling and Analyses of APXS Data: Comparing Murray and Sheepbed.
2019 European Planetary Science Congress (Geneva, Switzerland, 19 September 2019) The Mars Year 34 Global Dust Storm and Atmospheric Measurements with Multiple Generations of Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometers.
2019 European Planetary Science Congress (Geneva, Switzerland, 16 September 2019) High-Fidelity Simulations of Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer Spectra: Enhanced Characterization and Results from Gale.
50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 19 March 2019) Low-Latitude Near-Antipode Measurements of Atmospheric Argon With the Mars Exploration Rover and Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometers.
50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 19 March 2019) Enhanced Characterization of the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer Through Analyses of Software-Simulated Spectra.
49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 20 March 2018) Six Mars Years of Atmospheric Argon Measurements with the Mars Exploration Rover Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometers.
2017 European Geosciences Union (Vienna, Austria, 26 April 2017) Representative composition of the Murray Formation, Gale Crater, Mars, as refined through modeling utilizing Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer observations.
48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 21 March 2017) Refined chemical composition of the Murray Formation, Gale Crater, Mars, as modeled with observations by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer.
2017 American Physical Society March Meeting (New Orleans, LA, 14 March 2017) In Situ Sub-cm Chemistry for Assessing Ancient Habitability on Mars with the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer.
2016 American Geophysical Union (San Francisco, CA, 13 December 2016) Automated Grouping of Opportunity Rover Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer Data.
2016 Canadian Association of Physicists Congress (Ottawa, ON, 16 June 2016) Advancing Canada’s Martian In Situ Spectrometer: Sub-cm Chemistry for the Ongoing Assessment of Past Habitability on Mars.
2016 European Geosciences Union (Vienna, Austria, 18 April 2016) Millimeter-scale chemistry of observable endmembers with the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer and Mars Hand Lens Imager.
47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 24 March 2016) Chemistry of millimeter-scale petrographic endmembers determined by the Mars Science Laboratory Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer and Mars Hand Lens Imager.
46th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 19 March 2015) APXS Raster Localization using MAHLI-Distinguishable Phases: Localization and Phase Chemistry Including the Diagenetic Feature “Morrison”.
Student Conference Presentations
J. R. Christian: 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Houston, TX, 7 March 2022) Retrieval of Compositional Endmembers from PIXL Raster Scans.
A. L. Knight: 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Virtual, 9 March 2022) Investigation of Trace Element Concentrations in Summed Spectra from the Mars Exploration Rover Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer.
A. L. Knight: 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (Virtual, 16 March 2021) Preliminary Analyses of Select Trace Element Abundances from the Mars Exploration Rover Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer.