A rare meteorite from Mars, the largest known piece of the red planet ever found on Earth, is set to go up for auction and is estimated to sell for up to $4 million.
The meteorite, known as NWA 16788, weighs 24.5 kilograms — much larger than typical Martian meteorites, which are small fragments, according to auction house Sotheby’s. It was discovered in November 2023 in the remote Agadez region of Niger and is a unique find, about 70% larger than the next largest piece ever found.
See also: Is the planet Mars really red?
Martian meteorites are extremely rare and valuable rock samples that come directly from the Red Planet. To date, only about 400 such samples on Earth, making them true "cosmic treasures."
Martian meteorites are not intentionally ejected. They come from powerful asteroid impacts on the surface of Mars. These collisions are so powerful that they blast pieces of the planet's crust into space. Some of these pieces travel for thousands or even millions of years before entering Earth's atmosphere and falling to the surface as meteorites.
In the case of NWA 16788, analysis showed that it originated from the surface of Mars and was launched into space after a powerful asteroid impact.
Martian meteorites offer unique insights into the geological history — its volcanic past, its chemical composition, and the possibility of water or life. They are the only part of Mars that we can touch here and now, until we return samples in the future with space missions.
See also: Mars: Impressive photo of volcano above the clouds
The auction for NWA 16788 will take place on July 16 in New York at Sotheby's. But the meteorite has already sparked controversy. Some scientists worry that such a rare find could be lost in private collections, rather than being made available for research or museum display.
On the other hand, there are voices that emphasize that the sale of meteorites encourages their search and collection, which ultimately benefits science, as the samples remain available for study through collaborations with collectors.
A small sample of NWA 16788 has already been stored at an observatory in China, and the scientific community hopes that whoever acquires the meteorite will continue to support research around this unique piece of Mars.
See also: Perseverance photographed impressive auroras on Mars
In 2021, another Martian meteorite containing the planet’s atmosphere sold at auction for $200,000, far exceeding its initial estimate. Such auctions are a reminder of how strong the human interest in space exploration is. If the new owner recognizes the responsibility that this rare specimen carries, science and the public still have much to gain.
source: edition.cnn.com
