Martian Meteorite Achieves Auction Milestone with $4.3 Million Transaction

Amazing Martian Meteorite NWA 16788 Auctioned for More Than $5 Million at Sotheby’s

In a remarkable event, a 54-pound meteorite from Mars, known as NWA 16788, was auctioned for an impressive $5.3 million at a prestigious Sotheby’s event in July. Initially appraised at $4.3 million, added fees elevated its final amount, highlighting a significant occasion for fans of space and art collectors alike.

A Voyage from Mars to Our Planet

Mars is nearly 140 million miles from Earth. Nevertheless, a piece of the Red Planet found its way to the Sahara Desert in Nigeria’s Agadez region, where it was uncovered in November 2023. This meteorite is among only about 400 Martian fragments ever located on Earth, making this find particularly exceptional.

The Most Significant Fragment of Mars on Our Planet

Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice-chairman of science and natural history, stated that NWA 16788 is recognized as the largest Martian meteorite ever discovered on Earth. Its journey commenced with a powerful explosion from the Martian surface due to an asteroid collision, after which it plunged through Earth’s atmosphere, its exterior melted by the intense heat generated by friction.

Analyzing the Composition of NWA 16788

Scientific evaluation classified NWA 16788 as an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite.” This designation suggests that the meteorite was formed from slowly cooling Martian magma, giving rise to its gritty texture and glassy surface.

Sotheby’s Natural History Sale

NWA 16788 was included in a broader natural history auction that showcased over 120 lots, comprising fossil plates, sandstone structures, and a distinguished Ceratosaurus skeleton from the Jurassic period, which sold for $26 million.

Post-Auction Developments

Despite the buzz following the sale, details about the buyer of the meteorite and its intended future—whether in a personal or institutional collection—are yet to be revealed by Sotheby’s.