Record-Breaking Sale: Largest Mars Rock Ever Auctioned Goes for $4.3 Million
In an unprecedented astronomical event, a significant Martian meteorite, designated NWA 16788, was sold at Sotheby’s New York auction for a hammer price of $4.3 million to an anonymous bidder on July 12th. The colossal meteorite, weighing approximately 54 pounds (24.5 kilograms), surpasses the majority of Martian meteorites discovered, which typically consist of small fragments.
Meteorites represent remnants of comets, asteroids, or meteoroids that have survived their passage through Earth’s atmosphere. This particular specimen was unearthed in November 2023 within the remote Agadez region of Niger and is described by Sotheby’s as a “monumental specimen.” NWA 16788 boasts a size that is roughly 70% larger than the next largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth.
The rarity of Martian meteorites is further underscored, given that approximately only 400 such extraterrestrial objects have been found on our planet. Cassandra Hatton, Vice Chairman of Science and Natural History at Sotheby’s, commented in a statement, “NWA 16788 represents an extraordinary discovery – the largest Martian meteorite ever discovered on Earth, and the most valuable of its kind ever offered at auction.”
The meteorite, weathered by its space voyage, boasts a distinctive red color, setting it apart as an exceptional find. According to Sotheby’s, analysis of the meteorite’s internal composition indicates that it was likely ejected from Mars following an asteroid impact powerful enough to transform parts of the meteorite into glass. A glassy crust is also evident on its surface, formed during its passage through Earth’s atmosphere.
While some express concerns over the meteorite being sold rather than donated to scientific institutions for further study, others argue for the symbiotic relationship between researchers and collectors. Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology and evolution at Scotland’s University of Edinburgh, emphasized that the meteorite “belongs in a museum, where it can be studied and enjoyed by children, families, and the public at large.”
However, Julia Cartwright, a planetary scientist and Independent Research Fellow at the University of Leicester, England, acknowledges the significance of the market for searching, collecting, and selling meteorites in driving scientific advancement. “If samples weren’t being found,” she stated, “we would not have anywhere near as much to study, and so wouldn’t know as much as we do.”
While a reference sample from the meteorite has been preserved at the Purple Mountain Observatory in China, the ultimate destination of NWA 16788 remains unknown. Cartwright maintains hope that “the scientific interest will remain, and the new owner may be very interested in learning from it, so we may still gather lots of science from this.”
In February 2021, another Martian meteorite containing Mars’ atmosphere was auctioned at Christie’s for $200,000 – significantly above its pre-auction estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. As we look to the future, the study and collection of Martian meteorites continue to provide invaluable insights into our celestial neighbor and fuel the human imagination.
