Estimated to Fetch Up to $4 Million
A truly extraordinary piece of space history is heading to the auction block. The meteorite known as NWA 16788, weighing a staggering 54 pounds, is the largest Martian specimen ever discovered on Earth. Found in the Sahara Desert in 2023, the rock is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s, with starting bids at $1.9 million and estimates reaching $4 million.
Experts believe this rock was ejected from Mars some 140 million miles away, likely dislodged during an asteroid impact. Out of more than 77,000 documented meteorites, only about 400 are confirmed to be from Mars, making this one especially rare.
While some scientists argue such cosmic treasures should be kept in public museums, others see auctions like these as a way to boost awareness and enthusiasm for planetary science.
Should rare Martian rocks be sold to private collectors—or preserved for public research and education?
#Mars #MeteoriteAuction #Sothebys #SpaceScience
