A rare Martian meteorite, identified as NWA 16788, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York City, with estimates suggesting it could reach a remarkable price of up to $4 million. Scheduled for July 16, 2023, the auction will mark the first public display of this historic rock, which originated from the surface of Mars.
NWA 16788 was discovered on November 16, 2023, by a meteorite hunter in Niger’s remote Agadez Region. Weighing in at 24.67 kilograms, or approximately 54 pounds, it is about 70% larger than the next largest Martian meteorite found on Earth. This exceptional size and rarity amplify its value; currently, there are over 77,000 recognized meteorites on the planet, but only around 400 originate from Mars, totaling a mere 825 pounds of Martian material.
The bidding for NWA 16788 will commence at $1.6 million, a starting price that reflects Sotheby’s designation of the meteorite as “an incredibly rare discovery.” The auction house emphasizes the significance of this piece, noting that it accounts for approximately 6.5% of all known Martian material on Earth.
A Journey Through Space
The meteorite’s journey began with a massive asteroid strike that ejected it from Mars, sending it traveling an astonishing 140 million miles through space before it eventually crashed in the Sahara Desert. The meteorite is characterized by a reddish-brown fusion crust, giving it an unmistakable Martian appearance. Its surface features depressions formed from frictional heating during its atmospheric entry, illustrating the violent conditions it experienced upon arrival on Earth.
Sotheby’s describes NWA 16788 as exhibiting minimal terrestrial weathering, suggesting that its physical and chemical properties remain largely unaltered since landing. “In other words, NWA 16788 is likely a relative newcomer here on Earth, having fallen from outer space rather recently,” the auction house stated.
Additional Offerings at Sotheby’s Auction
This auction is part of Sotheby’s Natural History sale, which will also feature various other natural wonders, including minerals and fossils. Among the notable items is a mounted skeleton of a juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis dinosaur, projected to sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
The excitement surrounding the auction of NWA 16788 highlights the growing interest in extraterrestrial artifacts, which continue to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike. With such a rare item on the block, the auction promises to attract significant attention from both the scientific community and the general public.
As the countdown to the auction begins, the fate of this Martian rock remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: its story has only just begun.