A Maine museum lost its claim to the largest Martian meteorite on Earth after a larger one was found in Niger and auctioned for $5.3 million. The museum's collection, once home to the largest Martian meteorite, now ranks second, but it still holds the world's largest collection of lunar meteorites. The story highlights the rarity and scientific value of Martian rocks, as well as the complex world of meteorite trading.
The largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth, NWA-16788, sold at Sotheby's for nearly $5.3 million, exceeding expectations due to its pristine condition and scientific rarity, raising debates about the commercialization of such rare space specimens.
A 54-pound Martian meteorite, the largest ever found on Earth, sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby's in New York, offering valuable scientific insights and highlighting the rarity of such discoveries.
The largest known Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds and discovered in Niger, sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby's auction, highlighting its rarity and scientific significance, though some debate its sale versus donation for research and public display.
A massive Martian meteorite called NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds and discovered in Niger, sold for $4.3 million at Sotheby's, making it the largest known piece of Mars on Earth and a rare find among only about 400 known Martian meteorites. The meteorite's size, composition, and rarity make it a significant scientific and collectible item, sparking debate over its sale versus scientific study.
The largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth, NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds, is expected to sell for up to $4 million at Sotheby’s auction, highlighting its rarity and significance for planetary science.
A 54-pound Martian meteorite, the largest ever found on Earth, is up for auction at Sotheby's in New York with an estimated price of $2-4 million, alongside a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton. The meteorite, believed to have originated from Mars after a massive asteroid impact, is a rare find representing nearly 7% of all Martian material on Earth, and was confirmed through chemical analysis. The auction is part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025, featuring various natural history items.
A 54-pound Martian meteorite, the largest ever found on Earth, is up for auction at Sotheby's in New York with an estimated price of $2-4 million, alongside a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton. The meteorite, believed to be from Mars and found in Niger, represents nearly 7% of all Martian material on Earth and is a rare find among only 400 recognized Martian meteorites. The auction is part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025, featuring various natural history items.
A 54-pound piece of Mars, the largest ever found on Earth, is up for auction at Sotheby's in New York with an estimated price of $2-4 million. The meteorite, believed to have been ejected from Mars by an asteroid impact and traveled 140 million miles to Earth, is a rare find, representing nearly 7% of all Martian material on Earth. The auction also features a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton.
A massive Martian meteorite called NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds and discovered in Niger, is expected to sell for up to $4 million at Sotheby’s auction, making it the largest known piece of Mars on Earth and a rare find among only about 400 Martian meteorites ever discovered. The meteorite's size, composition, and rarity make it a significant scientific and collectible item, sparking debate over its sale versus scientific study.
