An extraordinary Martian meteorite, weighing 54 pounds and measuring nearly 15 inches in length, was auctioned for $4.3 million at Sotheby's in New York on Wednesday. Known as NWA 16788, this remarkable specimen was found in Niger in November 2023 and is considered an unprecedented find, being 70% larger than any other Martian meteorite on record. Sotheby's has labeled the reddish-brown rock as "unbelievably rare," with only about 400 Martian meteorites known to have been found on Earth. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chair of science and natural history, noted the extremely rare conditions that allowed this meteorite to survive its journey to Earth, emphasizing the luck involved in its landing on dry land. The final auction tally, including additional taxes and fees, reached approximately $5.3 million. The sale transpired amidst an event featuring over 100 items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton that sold for $26 million. The future location of the meteorite remains confidential, igniting curiosity among space aficionados.
Historic Martian Meteorite Fetches Record Auction Price of $4.3 Million
Historic Martian Meteorite Fetches Record Auction Price of $4.3 Million
The largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth has captivated collectors and space enthusiasts alike after a staggering auction sale.
Historic Martian Meteorite Fetches Record Auction Price of $4.3 Million
The largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth has captivated collectors and space enthusiasts alike after a staggering auction sale.
An extraordinary Martian meteorite, weighing 54 pounds and measuring nearly 15 inches in length, was auctioned for $4.3 million at Sotheby's in New York on Wednesday. Known as NWA 16788, this remarkable specimen was found in Niger in November 2023 and is considered an unprecedented find, being 70% larger than any other Martian meteorite on record. Sotheby's has labeled the reddish-brown rock as "unbelievably rare," with only about 400 Martian meteorites known to have been found on Earth. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chair of science and natural history, noted the extremely rare conditions that allowed this meteorite to survive its journey to Earth, emphasizing the luck involved in its landing on dry land. The final auction tally, including additional taxes and fees, reached approximately $5.3 million. The sale transpired amidst an event featuring over 100 items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton that sold for $26 million. The future location of the meteorite remains confidential, igniting curiosity among space aficionados.
The largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth has captivated collectors and space enthusiasts alike after a staggering auction sale.
An extraordinary Martian meteorite, weighing 54 pounds and measuring nearly 15 inches in length, was auctioned for $4.3 million at Sotheby's in New York on Wednesday. Known as NWA 16788, this remarkable specimen was found in Niger in November 2023 and is considered an unprecedented find, being 70% larger than any other Martian meteorite on record. Sotheby's has labeled the reddish-brown rock as "unbelievably rare," with only about 400 Martian meteorites known to have been found on Earth. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chair of science and natural history, noted the extremely rare conditions that allowed this meteorite to survive its journey to Earth, emphasizing the luck involved in its landing on dry land. The final auction tally, including additional taxes and fees, reached approximately $5.3 million. The sale transpired amidst an event featuring over 100 items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton that sold for $26 million. The future location of the meteorite remains confidential, igniting curiosity among space aficionados.
