World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
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Earth Science
USA
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
94
Citations
31570
World Ranking
200
National Ranking
101

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award

Overview

Benton C. Clark is affiliated with the Space Science Institute in the United States. Their research primarily falls within the field of Physics and Astronomy, with a focus on Astronomy and Astrophysics. They have contributed extensively to several subfields including Atmospheric Science, Artificial Intelligence, Physiology, and Radiation.

The scientist's research covers a broad range of topics, prominently in Planetary Science and Exploration as well as Astro and Planetary Science. Other notable areas of their work include Geology and Paleoclimatology Research, Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life, Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping, Spaceflight effects on biology, and Geological and Geochemical Analysis.

Benton C. Clark has published in multiple scientific venues with notable frequency in:

  • Journal of Geophysical Research Planets
  • Science Advances
  • Icarus
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
  • Science

Their recent papers feature work on the geology and geochemical properties of Mars crater floors and analytical instruments used in planetary exploration. Selected recent publications include:

  • "Aqueously altered igneous rocks sampled on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars" (2022, Science)
  • "PIXL: Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry" (2020, Space Science Reviews)
  • "An olivine cumulate outcrop on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars" (2022, Science)
  • "Samples Collected From the Floor of Jezero Crater With the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover" (2023, Journal of Geophysical Research Planets)
  • "Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report" (2020, Astrobiology)

The scientist has collaborated frequently with several co-authors, including:

  • S. J. VanBommel
  • Abigail C. Allwood
  • J. A. Hurowitz
  • R. C. Wiens
  • M. E. Schmidt

Best Publications

  • Detection of Perchlorate and the Soluble Chemistry of Martian Soil at the Phoenix Lander Site

    M. H. Hecht;S. P. Kounaves;R. C. Quinn;S. J. West

  • In situ evidence for an ancient aqueous environment at Meridiani Planum, Mars.

    Steven W. Squyres;John P. Grotzinger;Raymond E. Arvidson;James F. Bell

  • Comet 81P/Wild 2 under a microscope.

    Don Brownlee;Peter Tsou;Jérôme Aléon;Conel M O'd Alexander

  • Mineralogy and petrology of comet 81P/wild 2 nucleus samples

    Michael E. Zolensky;Thomas J. Zega;Hajime Yano;Sue Wirick

  • Overview of the Spirit Mars Exploration Rover Mission to Gusev Crater: Landing site to Backstay Rock in the Columbia Hills

    R. E. Arvidson;S. W. Squyres;R. C. Anderson;J. F. Bell

  • Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a dry to wet eolian depositional system, Burns formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars

    J.P. Grotzinger;R.E. Arvidson;J.F. Bell;W. Calvin

  • The ChemCam Instrument Suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Rover: Body Unit and Combined System Tests

    Roger C. Wiens;Sylvestre Maurice;Sylvestre Maurice;Bruce Barraclough;Bruce Barraclough;Muriel Saccoccio

  • H2O at the Phoenix landing site.

    P. H. Smith;L. K. Tamppari;R. E. Arvidson;D. Bass

  • The Opportunity Rover's Athena science investigation at Meridiani Planum, Mars.

    S. W. Squyres;R. E. Arvidson;J.F. Bell;J. Brückner

  • Provenance and diagenesis of the evaporite-bearing Burns formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars

    S.M. McLennan;J.F. Bell;W. M. Calvin;P. R. Christensen

  • The ChemCam Instrument Suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Rover: Science Objectives and Mast Unit Description

    S. Maurice;R. C. Wiens;M. Saccoccio;B. Barraclough

  • Detection of silica-rich deposits on Mars.

    Steven W. Squyres;Raymond E. Arvidson;S. Ruff;R. Gellert

  • Volatile and organic compositions of sedimentary rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars.

    Douglas W. Ming;P. D. Archer;D. P. Glavin;J. L. Eigenbrode

  • Chemical composition of Martian fines

    Benton C. Clark;Alex K. Baird;Ray J. Weldon;Donald M. Tsusaki

  • The Spirit Rover's Athena Science Investigation at Gusev Crater, Mars

    Steven W. Squyres;Raymond E. Arvidson;James F. Bell;J. Bruckner

  • Identification of Carbonate-Rich Outcrops on Mars by the Spirit Rover

    Richard V. Morris;Steven W. Ruff;Ralf Gellert;Douglas W. Ming

  • Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS): Results from Gusev crater and calibration report

    R. Gellert;R. Gellert;R. Rieder;J. Brückner;B. C. Clark

  • Geochemical and mineralogical interpretation of the Viking inorganic chemical results

    Priestley Toulmin;A. K. Baird;B. C. Clark;Klaus Keil

  • Chemistry of rocks and soils at Meridiani Planum from the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer.

    R. Rieder;R. Gellert;R. C. Anderson;J. Brückner

  • The salts of Mars

    B. C. Clark;D. C. Van Hart

  • Composition of comet Halley dust particles from Giotto observations

    J. Kissel;D. E. Brownlee;K. Büchler;B. C. Clark

Frequent Co-Authors

A. S. Yen
A. S. Yen Jet Propulsion Lab
Raymond E. Arvidson
Raymond E. Arvidson Washington University in St. Louis
Ralf Gellert
Ralf Gellert University of Guelph
Steven W. Squyres
Steven W. Squyres Cornell University
Scott M. McLennan
Scott M. McLennan Stony Brook University
John P. Grotzinger
John P. Grotzinger California Institute of Technology
Douglas W. Ming
Douglas W. Ming National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Göstar Klingelhöfer
Göstar Klingelhöfer Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
James F. Bell
James F. Bell Arizona State University
Harry Y. McSween
Harry Y. McSween University of Tennessee at Knoxville

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