Biggest Martian meteorite sold in auction for USD5.3 million
(MENAFN) The largest Martian meteorite ever sold has set a new auction record, fetching $5.3 million in the United States, according to a statement from Sotheby’s on Wednesday.
Weighing 24.67 kilograms, the meteorite – known as Northwest Africa 16788 (NWA 16788) – originated from the surface of Mars, having been ejected by an asteroid impact. It was discovered in Niger’s Sahara Desert in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter.
Sotheby’s described NWA 16788 as being coated in a reddish-brown fusion crust, which gives it a distinct Martian appearance. Its surface also features regmaglypts – indentations created by intense friction as the rock passed through Earth’s atmosphere.
Experts at Sotheby’s noted that NWA 16788 is roughly 70% larger than any other known Martian meteorite ever found on Earth.
“Martian meteorites are incredibly rare,” Sotheby’s explained, adding that of more than 77,000 recognized meteorites, only 400 come from Mars.
Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice chairman of science and natural history, told CNN that the meteorite’s size, weathered surface, and distinct red hue make it a “once-in-a-generation find.” She described it as a unique and tangible link to Mars, a planet that has long fascinated humanity.
The rock was auctioned between Sunday and Wednesday in New York. Previously, it had been held in a private gallery in Arezzo, Italy, and was displayed briefly at the Italian Space Agency in 2024. The identities of the buyer and former owner were not revealed.
Meteorites found in the northwest African region are labeled with the “NWA” prefix, followed by a unique identification number.
Another famous Martian meteorite, NWA 7034, nicknamed “Black Beauty,” was found in Morocco in 2011. Weighing about 320 grams, it is notable for its high water content and components dating back more than 4.4 billion years.
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