Largest piece of Mars sells for $4.3 million at auction in New York

In November 2023, a meteorite known as NWA 16788, which is the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth, was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York for $4.3 million. Weighing over 54 pounds and measuring nearly 15 inches long, the meteorite is approximately 70% larger than the next biggest piece discovered. This unique specimen is believed to have originated from a recent asteroid strike on Mars, after which it traveled over 140 million miles across the Solar System to crash in the Sahara Desert, specifically in the Agadez region of Nigeria. It was found by a meteorite hunter, highlighting its significant journey from Mars to Earth, where it became a focal point for scientists and collectors alike. The auction highlighted the rarity of Martian meteorites, of which only 400 out of over 77,000 recognized meteorites originate from Mars. The piece sold at auction represents approximately 6.5% of all Martian material on Earth, making it highly valuable in the scientific community. Prior to its auction, the meteorite was exhibited at the Italian Space Agency in Rome, amplifying interest and awareness about this extraordinary find. The auction also featured other remarkable items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton and the skull of a Pachycephalosaurus, showcasing the growing fascination with natural history and space exploration collectibles. Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby's, noted that the odds of the meteorite traveling from Mars and landing on dry land, where it could be found, are astronomically small, further accentuating its uniqueness. Testing confirmed that the meteorite was confirmed as an olivine-gabbroic shergottite, a type of Martian rock formed from magma cooling on Mars, offering valuable insights into the planet's geological history. The staggering sale price of NWA 16788 illustrates the immense value placed on rare cosmic materials as they captivate both scientists and collectors. Sotheby's auction not only emphasizes the significance of such meteorites but also showcases the intersection of natural history, science, and cultural interest. The fact that such a rare piece will now belong to an unknown buyer adds to the mystery surrounding Martian finds and may inspire further exploration of cosmic treasures.