Discovered in Niger, the 54-pound Martian meteorite, known as NWA 16788, is being hailed as "unbelievably rare," and has drawn significant interest after its record sale price.
Record-Breaking Martian Meteorite Fetches $4.3 Million at Auction
Record-Breaking Martian Meteorite Fetches $4.3 Million at Auction
The largest known piece of Mars ever found on Earth sold for a staggering $4.3 million at a recent auction in New York.
An extraordinary auction took place in New York on Wednesday, where the largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth was sold for a remarkable $4.3 million (£3.2 million). The meteorite, identified as NWA 16788, weighs 54 pounds (24.5 kilograms) and measures nearly 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) in length, according to Sotheby's auction house.
Found in a remote area of Niger in November 2023, this meteoric specimen is approximately 70% larger than the next largest piece of Martian rock known to have been recovered. Sotheby's emphasizes the rarity of such objects, noting that only around 400 Martian meteorites have ever been located on our planet.
"This is the largest piece of Mars on planet Earth. The odds of this getting from there to here are astronomically small," commented Cassandra Hatton, vice-chairman of science and natural history at Sotheby's, in a video shared online. She highlighted the significant chance it could have landed in the ocean, as 70% of Earth's surface is covered in water.
Details about the ultimate destination of the meteorite remain undisclosed, as the buyer's identity stays private. The sale price was heightened by additional taxes and fees, totaling approximately $5.3 million. Apart from the remarkable Martian find, Wednesday's auction showcased over 100 items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton which brought in a staggering $26 million and a Pachycephalosaurus skull that sold for $1.4 million.
