A remarkable piece of extraterrestrial history is set to captivate collectors when a significant Martian meteorite goes up for auction on July 16, 2024, at Sotheby’s in New York City. Known as NWA 16788, this meteorite is the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth and could fetch between $2 million and $4 million due to its rarity.
Sotheby’s describes NWA 16788 as “an incredibly rare discovery,” opening bidding at $1.6 million. This astonishing rock was ejected from the Martian surface by a massive asteroid impact, traveling approximately 140 million miles through space before entering Earth’s atmosphere and ultimately landing in the Sahara Desert.
Details of the Meteorite
Discovered on November 16, 2023, by a meteorite hunter in Niger’s remote Agadez Region, NWA 16788 weighs 24.67 kilograms (about 54 pounds) and measures 14.75 by 11 by 6 inches. It is approximately 70% larger than the next largest Martian piece found on Earth. According to the auction site, there are over 77,000 recognized meteorites globally, but only around 400 are confirmed as Martian, with a total weight of 825 pounds.
The meteorite features a reddish-brown fusion crust and exhibits surface depressions caused by the frictional heating experienced during its entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Sotheby’s notes that the minimal signs of terrestrial weathering suggest that NWA 16788 has preserved its original physical and chemical attributes since its arrival on Earth.
A Broader Natural History Sale
Sotheby’s Natural History auction will include not only NWA 16788 but also a range of other natural artifacts. Among the highlights is a mounted skeleton of a juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis, which is expected to sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
Sotheby’s has positioned NWA 16788 as a centerpiece of this event, emphasizing its significance in the realm of meteorite collections. The auction is set to begin at 10 a.m. on the day of the event, and the excitement surrounding this Martian meteorite reflects a growing interest in space-related collectibles among enthusiasts and investors alike.
This auction not only showcases extraordinary natural history but also highlights the ongoing fascination with the cosmos and humanity’s connection to distant worlds.