Mars Meteorite Fetches $4.3 Million at Sotheby's Auction

A meteorite known as NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds and discovered in Niger, was sold at Sotheby's auction, emphasizing its rarity in planetary geology. The event highlighted the appeal of extraterrestrial specimens and their valuation, alongside historical fossils.

A remarkable artifact from the Red Planet, the largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth, was auctioned for an astounding $4.3 million at Sotheby’s in New York. The meteorite, designated NWA 16788, boasts a weight of 54 pounds (24.5 kg) and measures nearly 15 inches (38.1 cm) in length. This celestial rock was unearthed in a desolate area of Niger in November 2023 and is said to be 70% larger than the next biggest Martian meteorite previously recovered, according to Sotheby’s.

The auction house has characterized the meteorite as "unbelievably rare," noting that only about 400 Martian meteorites have been cataloged on Earth. “This is the largest piece of Mars on planet Earth. The odds of this getting from there to here are astronomically small,” Cassandra Hatton, vice-chairman of science and natural history at Sotheby’s, stated in a promotional video. She emphasized the rarity of its landing on dry land rather than in the ocean, where recovery would have been virtually impossible.

The total cost of the meteorite climbed to approximately $5.3 million when additional taxes and fees were applied. Despite the significant sale, it remains uncertain where the newfound treasure will be housed, as the details of the buyer are not publicly disclosed. The meteorite auction was part of a broader event featuring more than 100 items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton that sold for $26 million and the skull of a Pachycephalosaurus, which sold for $1.4 million, showcasing the intersection of science and commerce in the realm of rare collectibles.