ICYMI: Largest Known Martian Meteorite Found in Nigér Sells for $5.3m at Sotheby’s Auction

A rare 24-kilogram Martian meteorite, the largest ever discovered on earth has been sold for $5.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York on Tuesday. Designated NWA 16788, the ochre-toned rock was unearthed in the desert of Agadez, Niger, on November 16, 2023, by a meteorite hunter.

Measuring 40 centimetres in length, it has since been confirmed as a fragment from Mars, likely ejected after a colossal asteroid impact.

Experts estimate that the meteorite travelled over 62 million kilometres through space before making landfall on earth. Its exact arrival date remains unknown, but scientific analysis reveals that it originated from cooled Martian magma, making it a significant and rare specimen among the approximately 400 Martian meteorites known to science.

The auction, which began with a starting bid of $2 million, drew global attention. The meteorite was eventually acquired by an anonymous buyer, following a unique journey that included stops at the Italian Space Agency and a gallery in Tuscany.

With its extraordinary size, origin, and scientific value, NWA 16788 is now regarded as one of the most important Martian meteorites ever found, a true collector’s treasure and a cosmic window into Mars’ volcanic past.

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