The largest Mars meteorite ever found on Earth, NWA 16788, has sold for a record-breaking $4.3 million at a recent auction held by Sotheby’s in New York City. The 54-pound chunk of the Red Planet, discovered in Northwest Africa, surpassed its estimated price range of $4 million, with extra fees bringing the final sale to around $5.3 million.
According to Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman of science and natural history at Sotheby’s, NWA 16788 stands out not only due to its massive size but also its striking resemblance to the Martian surface. This unique feature sets it apart from other Mars meteorites, which are typically small and thin slices. The new owner remains anonymous, with Hatton citing various reasons for their decision, including safety concerns and a desire to support scientific research.
This sale is not an isolated incident, as several rare objects were sold during the same auction, including a mounted juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton for $26 million and a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex foot for $1.4 million. The Sotheby’s auction highlights the value placed on scientific objects by collectors and museums alike, with many choosing to donate their purchases to institutions or support research initiatives.
A sample of NWA 16788 was sent to a lab for analysis, providing valuable information for scientists studying the object. As Hatton noted, “A sample has been taken and analyzed and published in the meteoritical bulletin, so they could go and get that,” allowing researchers to further understand this rare Martian meteorite.
Source: https://www.space.com/astronomy/mars/the-largest-mars-meteorite-on-earth-has-sold-for-usd4-3-million