The Largest Martian Meteorite Ever Found on Earth Up for Auction at Sotheby’s
A massive chunk of Mars, believed to be the largest individual Martian rock recovered so far, is set to go under the hammer at a Sotheby’s auction later this month. The meteorite, officially named NWA-16788, weighs in at 24.67 kilograms (54.39 pounds), making it about 70 percent larger than the previous record-holder, Taoudenni 002.
Discovered in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the Agadez region of Niger, NWA-16788 has been confirmed to be of Martian origin by the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. The rock shows minimal terrestrial weathering, indicating that its physical and chemical makeup have remained largely unchanged since its arrival on Earth.
The high percentage of maskelynite glass and shock-melted areas in NWA-16788 suggest that it was likely ejected from Mars during a severe asteroid impact. The rock, formed from Martian magma, is characterized by a coarse-grained texture composed primarily of pyroxene, maskelynite, and olivine.
While some scientists question the decision to sell such a rare specimen, others believe that the new owner may contribute to scientific research by studying the meteorite. The Sotheby’s auction for NWA-16788 is scheduled to begin on July 16 at 14:00 UTC.
Scientific and Ethical Considerations
Paleontologist Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh expressed concern that the meteorite might end up in the hands of a private collector, stating that it belongs in a museum where it can be studied and enjoyed by the public. On the other hand, planetary scientist Julia Cartwright from the University of Leicester believes that scientific interest in the meteorite will persist, and the new owner may contribute valuable insights to research.
Whether NWA-16788 remains a scientific treasure or becomes a prized possession for a private collector, its journey from Mars to Earth continues to captivate researchers and enthusiasts alike.
