An otherworldly treasure is heading to the auction house this month. A massive piece of Martian rock will be sold at Sotheby’s, and experts think it will fetch millions.
Officially named Northwest Africa 16788 (or NWA 16788), it is the largest Martian meteorite ever discovered on Earth. We have only found 400 meteorites from Mars, and most are just small fragments. This weighs in at nearly 25 kilograms, which is 70% larger than the next biggest piece of Mars that has landed on our planet.
Researchers are unsure when it crashed into Earth, but it was found in the Agadez region of Niger, in the Sahara Desert in November 2023. It is believed to have broken off the Martian surface in a violent asteroid impact before drifting through space and eventually crashing onto our planet.
Photo: Sothebys
Research shows that the meteorite contains a large amount of magnesium and iron-rich crystals, and that some minerals within it have turned into glass. This is likely due to the original force of the asteroid impact and its subsequent journey through our atmosphere.
A $4 million rock?
Sotheby’s in New York will auction the meteorite on July 16, and it could make history. Experts estimate that it could sell for between $2 million and $4 million, potentially setting a new world record for a meteorite sold at auction.
“NWA 16788 is a discovery of extraordinary significance — the largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth, and the most valuable of its kind ever offered at auction,” said Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman of science and natural history at Sotheby’s. “Weathered by its journey through space and time, its immense size and unmistakable red color set it apart as a once-in-a-generation find. This remarkable meteorite provides a tangible connection to the red planet.”
Photo: Sothebys
The auction has also sparked debate. Some scientists worry that if the rock ends up in a private collection, its scientific value will be lost. Paleontologist Steve Brusatte expressed disappointment over the prospect, saying it would be a shame if the meteorite “disappeared into the vault of an oligarch” rather than being preserved in a public museum.
On the other hand, some experts are hopeful that a new owner could collaborate with researchers to unlock more secrets from Mars. Julia Cartwright, a planetary scientist at the University of Leicester, noted that “the scientific interest will remain,” regardless of who ends up buying it.
Before it’s sold to the highest bidder, NWA 16788 will be on public display at Sotheby’s from July 8 to July 15, giving space lovers and curious onlookers a rare chance to stand face to face with a real piece of Mars.
