Largest Martian Meteorite Set for Auction with a Starting Bid of $2 Million

A remarkable opportunity is on the horizon as Sotheby's prepares to auction the largest known meteorite from Mars, weighing in at 24 kilograms. This extraordinary piece, designated as NWA 16788, was discovered two years ago in Niger and is now available for the highest bidder.

The meteorite was unearthed by an anonymous meteorite hunter in the Agadez region of northern Niger on July 16, 2023. According to Sotheby's, NWA 16788 is approximately 70 percent larger than the next biggest Martian meteorite, and it constitutes about 6.5 percent of all known Martian material on Earth. The auction is set to begin with an opening bid of $2 million.

NWA 16788 features a distinct red crust that gives it a unique Martian hue, as noted by Sotheby's. The meteorite exhibits indentations formed by the heat generated during its passage through Earth's atmosphere. The minimal signs of terrestrial weathering suggest that the meteorite has remained largely unchanged since its entry into Earth's environment, indicating it was recently ejected from Mars. Additionally, approximately one-fifth of the meteorite consists of glass formed from the impact that dislodged it from the Martian surface, with only 19 craters on Mars large enough to be potential sources of such fragments.

Sotheby's has highlighted various aspects of the meteorite that contribute to its immense scientific value, but the fate of this celestial artifact remains uncertain. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential private ownership of such a significant piece of extraterrestrial history. Experts argue that it would be unfortunate if the meteorite were to end up stored away in a private collection, inaccessible to the public. Instead, many believe it should be displayed in a museum, allowing for public engagement and further scientific study.

While some scientists acknowledge the importance of a market for meteorites in driving discovery, they also emphasize the need for public accessibility to significant finds like NWA 16788. Presently, a fragment of this meteorite is housed in a public observatory at the Purple Mountain in Nanjing, China. The auction is scheduled to commence on Wednesday at 4 PM, with Sotheby's anticipating bids could reach as high as $4 million.