Context:

The largest known piece of Mars on Earth, a 54-pound meteorite named NWA 16788, was sold at a Sotheby’s New York auction for $4.3 million. Discovered in Niger in 2023, this meteorite is 70% larger than any other Martian meteorite found on Earth and is one of only around 400 such meteorites ever discovered. The meteorite's journey through space left it with a glassy crust, and its internal composition suggests it was ejected from Mars by a powerful asteroid impact. The sale sparked a debate on whether such specimens should be auctioned or preserved for scientific study, with some experts highlighting the importance of private collectors in fostering scientific discovery. A reference sample of the meteorite is preserved in China, ensuring continued scientific interest and potential research opportunities for this unique specimen.

Dive Deeper:

• The meteorite, NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds, is the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth and was sold for $4.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction. It is significantly larger than typical Martian meteorites, which are usually small fragments.

• Discovered in November 2023 in Niger's Agadez region, NWA 16788 is a rare find, with only about 400 Martian meteorites ever found on Earth. Its immense size and red hue make it a unique and valuable specimen.

• Analyses reveal that the meteorite was likely ejected from Mars following a massive asteroid impact, which melted parts of it into glass. A glassy crust formed as it passed through Earth's atmosphere, adding to its scientific intrigue.

• The auction of NWA 16788 has stirred debate among scientists, with some arguing it should be preserved in a museum for public enjoyment and scientific study. Others, like planetary scientist Julia Cartwright, see the value in private collectors' contributions to science.

• Cartwright notes that without the market for meteorite collection and sale, scientific study would be limited. A reference sample of NWA 16788 is preserved in China, ensuring ongoing scientific interest and potential for future discoveries.

• Past sales of Martian meteorites, such as a specimen with entrapped Martian atmosphere sold for $200,000 in 2021, highlight the high market value and interest in these extraterrestrial rocks.

• The sale of NWA 16788 underscores the delicate balance between private ownership and scientific discovery, with the hope that the new owner might continue to allow scientific access to the meteorite.