Largest Mars rock ever found on Earth sells for $4.3m at auction

A rare and remarkable event took place in New York when the largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth was sold at auction for $4. 3 million. The meteorite, named NWA 16788, weighs 54 pounds and measures nearly 15 inches in length. It was found in a remote area of Niger in November 2023. According to Sotheby's, the auction house that handled the sale, this Martian rock is 70 percent larger than the next biggest Mars meteorite ever found. Meteorites are pieces of rock that survive their journey through Earth's atmosphere after breaking off from asteroids or comets. Only about 400 Martian meteorites have ever been found on our planet, making this discovery extremely rare. Sotheby's described the meteorite as 'unbelievably rare' and highlighted its reddish brown color. Cassandra Hatton, vice-chairman of science and natural history at Sotheby's, explained in a video that the odds of a rock from Mars making it all the way to Earth are extremely small. She pointed out that about 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered by water, so it is very lucky that this meteorite landed on dry land where it could be found. If it had landed in the ocean, it would have been almost impossible to recover. The identity of the buyer remains a secret, as the details of the sale are private. With additional taxes and fees, the total cost of the meteorite came to about $5. 3 million. The auction featured more than 100 items, including other rare and valuable objects. For example, a Ceratosaurus skeleton from the late Jurassic period was sold for $26 million, and the skull of a Pachycephalosaurus went for $1. 4 million. These sales show that there is a strong interest in rare items from both space and Earth's history. The Mars meteorite is not only valuable because of its size and rarity, but also because it can help scientists learn more about the Red Planet. Studying Martian rocks on Earth allows researchers to understand the history and geology of Mars without having to travel there. This can provide important clues about how Mars formed and whether it could have supported life in the past. The sale of the largest Mars rock ever found on Earth is a reminder of how much people value discoveries from space. It also shows how rare and precious these objects are. The auction brought together collectors, scientists, and enthusiasts who are fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. The Mars meteorite will likely become a centerpiece in a private collection or a museum, where it can be studied and admired for years to come. The event highlights the excitement and wonder that comes with finding pieces of other worlds right here on our own planet. It also encourages us to keep exploring and learning about the universe beyond Earth.