Largest Martian Meteorite Fetches Record $5.3M at Auction * SciTechTimes.com

A massive 54-pound Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, has sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby’s, setting a new auction record.
This rare piece of Mars, discovered in the Sahara, offers unique insights into the Red Planet’s geology.

Record-Breaking Sale at Sotheby’s

A significant Martian meteorite, weighing 54 pounds (24.5 kg), has set a new auction record. It sold for an impressive $5.3 million at Sotheby’s, becoming the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth. The auction for this particular rock, designated NWA 16788, involved a competitive 15-minute bidding war. Participants included both online bidders and those placing bids via phone. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice-chairman and global head of science and natural history, described the meteorite as an “amazing Martian meteorite” that originated from the surface of Mars.

Discovery and Identification

This remarkable fragment was initially discovered in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter. The find occurred in the remote Agadez region of Niger, within the vast Sahara Desert. Locals in the area reportedly recognized its unusual nature, but its true origin was confirmed after laboratory testing. Hatton noted that it wasn’t until pieces were analyzed that scientists realized its Martian composition. Further comparisons then established that it was not only Martian but also the largest piece of Mars ever found on our planet.

The Journey from Mars to Earth

Approximately five million years ago, a cosmic event propelled this rock from Mars. An asteroid or comet impact on the Martian surface was so forceful that it launched rocks and other debris into space. This particular fragment then embarked on an incredible journey, hurtling through approximately 140 million miles of space. It remarkably survived its fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere, a process that causes most celestial objects to burn up. Its landing in the middle of a desert, rather than an ocean, and its discovery by someone who could identify its significance, were also critical factors in its recovery.

Physical Characteristics and Rarity

NWA 16788, much like its home planet, exhibits a distinct reddish hue. It also bears signs of a fusion crust, a tell-tale mark from its violent entry through Earth’s atmosphere. This crust forms as the meteorite’s outer layer melts due to extreme heat and then rapidly solidifies. There are currently around 400 officially recognized Martian meteorites on Earth. Among these, NWA 16788 stands out significantly as the largest known specimen.

Martian Meteorite Classification

Martian meteorites are classified based on their unique mineral compositions and isotopic ratios, which closely match those of rocks analyzed by NASA missions on Mars. Scientists can determine a meteorite’s Martian origin by analyzing gases trapped within the rock, particularly noble gases like argon. The isotopic ratios of these gases are distinct to Mars’ atmosphere. Studying these meteorites provides invaluable direct samples from Mars, offering insights into the Red Planet’s geological history, internal structure, and potential for past or present life, without the need for costly sample-return missions.