News Summary
Sotheby’s is set to auction the largest known piece of Mars on July 16, with the meteorite NWA 16788 expected to fetch between $2 million and $4 million. Weighing 24.67 kilograms and discovered in 2023, this remarkable specimen represents a significant part of Martian history. Only around 400 Martian meteorites are known, making NWA 16788 an exceptionally rare find, contributing to 6.5% of all known Martian materials on Earth. The auction is expected to stimulate discussions on the preservation of such artifacts, highlighting their value for education and public appreciation.
New York—On July 16, 2025, Sotheby’s will auction what is believed to be the largest known piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth, a meteorite named NWA 16788. The auction will commence with an opening bid of $1.6 million, and the rock is projected to fetch between $2 million and $4 million.
NWA 16788, weighing 24.67 kilograms (about 54 pounds), was discovered on November 16, 2023, in the Agadez Region of Niger by a meteorite hunter. This remarkable find is approximately 70% larger than the second-largest Martian meteorite that has ever been identified on Earth. Sotheby’s refers to the specimen as “an incredibly rare discovery,” highlighting its significance among meteorites.
Currently, there are over 77,000 recognized meteorites on Earth, but only around 400 are known to have originated from Mars. Notably, NWA 16788 represents about 6.5% of all known Martian material found on our planet. The meteorite was formed around 4.5 billion years ago and was ejected from Mars due to a massive asteroid impact. After traveling approximately 140 million miles through space, it ultimately landed in the Sahara Desert, where it was found.
Measuring about 14.75 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches, NWA 16788 exhibits a reddish-brown fusion crust on its exterior with minimal signs of terrestrial weathering. Its surface also features depressions known as regmaglypts, which are formed by the intense heating experienced as meteorites enter Earth’s atmosphere. This particular meteorite is classified as a shergottite, a classification that is common among Martian meteorites.
Prior to the auction, NWA 16788 has made appearances at the Italian Space Agency and a private gallery in Arezzo, Italy, where it has attracted significant attention from both the public and experts in the field. While many regard the auction of such meteorites as a chance to appreciate their scientific and historical value, there is ongoing debate among experts about whether these valuable pieces belong in private collections or should instead be preserved in museums for public education.
As part of the same auction event, Sotheby’s will also feature a mounted skeleton of a juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis, which is estimated to sell for between $4 million and $6 million. Sotheby’s periodically holds auctions for meteorites and other rare items from natural history, aiming to connect collectors with unique pieces of our planet’s and the universe’s history.
The excitement surrounding the auction of NWA 16788 underscores the growing interest in meteorites among collectors and investors. As the understanding of these extraterrestrial materials continues to expand, opportunities for both acquisition and education remain a focal point within the scientific and collecting communities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS News
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- Wikipedia: Meteorite
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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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