Largest Martian Meteorite Sells for $5.3 Million at Sotheby's Auction

A Martian meteorite, known as NWA 16788, was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York for $5.3 million. Weighing 54 pounds (24.5 kilograms), it is the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth. Discovered in November 2023 in Niger's Sahara Desert, the meteorite was identified as Martian upon laboratory testing. It originated from Mars approximately 5 million years ago, after an asteroid or comet impact ejected it into space. Remarkably, it survived the 140-million-mile journey and Earth's atmospheric entry, eventually landing in an accessible desert location. The meteorite's reddish color and fusion crust evidence its Martian origin and fiery descent. Its discovery and sale mark a significant moment in meteorite history, with only about 400 recognized Martian meteorites known, and NWA 16788 being the largest among them. The auction drew a competitive 15-minute bidding war and highlights the remarkable journey and scientific value of extraterrestrial material.