**An extraordinary find, this rare meteorite weighs 54 pounds and showcases the marvels of our solar system.**
**Record-Breaking Martian Meteorite Fetches $4.3 Million at Auction**
**Record-Breaking Martian Meteorite Fetches $4.3 Million at Auction**
**The largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth sold for an astonishing price, marking a significant moment in both science and art.**
The largest piece of Martian rock ever found on Earth has sold for a remarkable $4.3 million (£3.2 million) at a New York auction. This rare meteorite, known as NWA 16788, weighs an impressive 54 pounds (24.5 kg) and measures nearly 15 inches (38.1 cm) in length, according to Sotheby's, the auction house that hosted the sale. Discovered in a remote part of Niger in November 2023, the meteorite is staggering 70% larger than the next biggest known Martian rock found on Earth.
Sotheby's has characterized the meteorite as "unbelievably rare," highlighting that only around 400 Martian meteorites have been recovered on our planet. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice-chairman of science and natural history, remarked on the meteorite's rarity in an online video, emphasizing the unlikely odds of a piece of Mars making its journey to Earth. “With about 70% of the Earth's surface covered in water, we are incredibly lucky that it landed on solid ground rather than in the ocean, where it would be nearly impossible to find,” she stated.
Details regarding the identity of the buyer and the meteorite's future location remain private. The total sale price, including additional taxes and fees, culminated in approximately $5.3 million. Apart from the extraordinary meteorite, the auction also featured a breadth of items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton from the late Jurassic period that sold for $26 million and a Pachycephalosaurus skull that went for $1.4 million, underlining the significant intersection of science and commerce in auction settings.
Sotheby's has characterized the meteorite as "unbelievably rare," highlighting that only around 400 Martian meteorites have been recovered on our planet. Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby’s vice-chairman of science and natural history, remarked on the meteorite's rarity in an online video, emphasizing the unlikely odds of a piece of Mars making its journey to Earth. “With about 70% of the Earth's surface covered in water, we are incredibly lucky that it landed on solid ground rather than in the ocean, where it would be nearly impossible to find,” she stated.
Details regarding the identity of the buyer and the meteorite's future location remain private. The total sale price, including additional taxes and fees, culminated in approximately $5.3 million. Apart from the extraordinary meteorite, the auction also featured a breadth of items, including a Ceratosaurus skeleton from the late Jurassic period that sold for $26 million and a Pachycephalosaurus skull that went for $1.4 million, underlining the significant intersection of science and commerce in auction settings.
