Context:

An extraordinarily rare Martian meteorite, the largest ever found on Earth, was auctioned for $4.3 million in New York, with additional taxes and fees increasing the total to about $5.3 million. Known as NWA 16788, this meteorite weighs 54 pounds and measures nearly 15 inches in length, and was discovered in Niger, making it 70% larger than any previously recovered Martian meteorite. Only about 400 Martian meteorites have been found on Earth, and the odds of one landing on dry land are astronomically small due to Earth's predominately water-covered surface. The auction, which included over 100 items, featured notable sales such as a Ceratosaurus skeleton for $26 million and a Pachycephalosaurus skull for $1.4 million. The final destination of the meteorite remains confidential as details of the sale are to remain private.

Dive Deeper:

• The Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, sold for $4.3 million at a Sotheby's auction, with the total cost rising to approximately $5.3 million after taxes and fees.

• This meteorite, weighing 54 pounds and nearly 15 inches long, was discovered in a remote region of Niger in November 2023, and is 70% larger than any other Martian meteorite found on Earth.

• Sotheby's described the rock as 'unbelievably rare,' emphasizing the improbability of a Martian meteorite landing on Earth's dry land instead of its vast oceans.

• Only about 400 Martian meteorites have been discovered on Earth, highlighting the rarity of such finds and the significance of this particular piece.

• The auction included over 100 items, with significant sales such as a Ceratosaurus skeleton fetching $26 million and a Pachycephalosaurus skull going for $1.4 million.

• Details about the eventual owner or destination of the meteorite remain undisclosed, as the auction house has decided to keep this information private.

• Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chairman of science and natural history, noted the astronomically small odds of a meteorite traveling from Mars to Earth and being recovered.