Largest Martian Meteorite on Earth to Be Auctioned for Million-Dollar Value

Written by Sara Aquino

Published on 02/07/2025 at 18:18

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The Heaviest Meteorite From Mars Ever Found on Earth Will Be Auctioned for Up to R$ 21 Million; Event Takes Place in July in New York.

One of the rarest space treasures ever found on terrestrial soil is about to change owners. It is the largest meteorite from Mars ever recorded on Earth, dubbed NWA 16788, which will be auctioned on July 16 at the Sotheby’s in New York. The estimated value? Up to US$ 4 million, equivalent to R$ 21.8 million.

Weighing 24.5 kilograms, this rock from space exceeds the size of the second largest identified Martian meteorite by 70%. It was discovered in November 2023, in the desert region of Agadez, Niger — a true find for planetary science and the market for rare space objects.

A Relic From Space With Origins From Mars

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Scientific Value Versus Commercial Value

Sotheby’s Vice President of Science and Natural History, Cassandra Hatton, highlights the historical importance of the meteorite:

“NWA 16788 is an extraordinary discovery — the largest meteorite from Mars ever found on Earth and the most valuable of its kind to be auctioned. Its impressive size and reddish color make it a rare gem of planetary science,” she stated.

However, not everyone is comfortable with the fact that an object with such scientific potential is being sold to private individuals. Paleontologist Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh warned that the rock could disappear from public reach:

“It would be a shame if it were locked away in a billionaire collector’s vault. It belongs in a museum, where it can inspire generations.”

On the other hand, planetary scientist Julia Cartwright from the University of Leicester advocates for a more balanced approach:

“If there were no market, many of these samples would never be found. The meteorite trade significantly contributes to science. Ideally, science and collectors should walk together.”

Martian Meteorites Have Already Brought Million-Dollar Figures

The interest in Martian fragments is not recent. In February 2021, a small meteorite containing traces of Mars’ atmosphere was sold for US$ 200,000 (about R$ 1 million), far exceeding its initial valuation. This shows how the fascination with space objects continues to be strong — both for their rarity and for their symbolic value.

While the fate of NWA 16788 remains uncertain until the auction, a small sample has already been reserved for study at the Purple Mountain Observatory in China. This ensures that even if the rock goes into private hands, its scientific legacy can continue.

Beyond the market, the meteorite represents something even deeper: a tangible connection to Mars.

A tangible sample of what exists beyond Earth, a unique piece of space that helps tell the story of our Solar System.

And that, now, may be about to become one of the most expensive rocks in the world.

CNN Brasil

Largest Martian Meteorite on Earth to Be Auctioned for Million-Dollar Value

The Heaviest Meteorite From Mars Ever Found on Earth Will Be Auctioned for Up to R$ 21 Million; Event Takes Place in July in New York.

Scientific Value Versus Commercial Value

Martian Meteorites Have Already Brought Million-Dollar Figures

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Largest Martian Meteorite on Earth to Be Auctioned for Million-Dollar Value

The Heaviest Meteorite From Mars Ever Found on Earth Will Be Auctioned for Up to R$ 21 Million; Event Takes Place in July in New York.

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Martian Meteorites Have Already Brought Million-Dollar Figures

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