This piece of rock could sell for $4 million. It came from Mars
NWA 16788 was unearthed in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the remote Agadez region of Niger, a location better known for dinosaur fossils than interplanetary rocks.Only about 400 Martian meteorites have ever been identified among the 77,000 recognised meteorites on Earth, underscoring the rarity and significance of this find.
It is believed to be the largest individual Martian rock recovered so far. (Photo: Sotheby's)
Scientific analysis confirmed the meteorite's Martian origin. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum verified its identity from a small sample, noting its minimal terrestrial weathering, a sign that it landed on Earth relatively recently and has not been significantly altered by our planet's environment.Its surface displays the characteristic reddish-brown hue of Mars, and about 20 percent of the rock is composed of maskelynite, a glass formed by the intense shock of the asteroid impact that blasted it off the Martian surface.Experts believe NWA 16788 was formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma and is primarily made up of pyroxene, maskelynite, and olivine.HOW DID IT COME TO EARTH?Its journey to Earth began with a colossal asteroid impact on Mars, which ejected the rock into space. After travelling approximately 140 million miles, it eventually landed in the Sahara Desert.The upcoming auction, scheduled for July 16, has sparked debate in the scientific community. Some, like palaeontologist Steve Brusatte, argue such a rare specimen should remain in a museum for public study and enjoyment.Others, including planetary scientist Julia Cartwright, suggest that significant scientific research can still be conducted, even if the meteorite enters a private collection.Regardless of its final destination, NWA 16788 stands as a 'once-in-a-generation find, a tangible link to our neighbouring planet- Ends
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Indian Express
Ready-to-use stem cell kits for pets coming soon? Gallant closes $18M Series B funding
A US-based startup focused on curing pet health issues with ready-to-use stem cell therapies has secured over $18 million in fresh funding. Founded by Aaron Hirschhorn, Gallant is looking to develop the first off-the-shelf stem cell therapy kits in veterinary medicine that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its latest funding round was led by existing backer Digitalis Venture and also saw participation from NovaQuest Capital Management, which has invested in human stem cell therapy in the past. So far, the company has raised a total of $44 million from investors. Hirschhorn, who passed away in 2021, started Gallant after selling pet-sitting network DogVacay to its biggest rival Rover, according to a report by TechCrunch. 'We're honored to have the backing of partners who share our vision in creating this new category of medicine that doesn't just help pets feel better, but helps pets get better,' said Dr Linda Black, CEO of Gallant. 'The FDA approval of the first human allogeneic stem cell therapy was a historic milestone, and we're looking forward to delivering this breakthrough therapy for animal health,' she added. Gallant's first stem cell therapy kit is aimed at tackling a painful mouth condition in cats called Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS). It is on track for FDA approval in early 2026, the company said. If approved, the product could revolutionise how medical conditions in pets are treated. The primary function of stem cells is self-repair or regeneration. Unlike other cells in our body, stem cells have the unique ability to transform into different types of cells, each serving a specific function. Stem cells hold great potential for medical research and treatments because they can help repair damaged tissues and organs in the body. Their healing potential is also being explored in regards to humans with thousands of legitimate clinical trials currently underway. While most stem cell therapy treatments require the cells from a patient or donor with matching tissue to be harvested, Gallant's approach is slightly different and said to be more convenient. This is because the company uses ready-to-use cells from donor animals, even if they are a different species. Despite some encouraging early results, it is important to remember that stem cell therapy is still an experimental field. For example, studies have shown that stem cell treatments helped to ease the pain and improved mobility of dogs with arthritis for at least two years. However, similar stem cell treatments targeted at kidney diseases in cats offered mixed results.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk wants to shut down the International Space Station for which Donald Trump just sanctioned $1.25 billion; says time to focus on ...
The world's richest man and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has triggered a debate by urging the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS), calling it a relic that's holding back humanity's cosmic ambitions. On July 3, Elon Musk took to Twitter to repost a summary of space-related funding in President Donald Trump's latest tax bill, which allocates $1.25 billion to sustain the ISS through 2030. Musk's blunt response: 'It's time to retire the Space Station and focus on Mars'. Musk's post sparked a heated online debate, with supporters cheering his bold vision and critics defending the ISS as a cornerstone of global scientific collaboration. The ISS, said to be a marvel of engineering orbiting 250 miles above Earth, has been a hub for groundbreaking research since its first module launched in 1998. But at over two decades old, the station is showing its age. NASA has acknowledged that critical systems, including life support and structural components, are nearing the end of their operational life. The tax bill also includes $325 million to fund a safe deorbit process by 2030, signaling that the station's days are numbered. Last year, NASA awarded SpaceX an $843 million contract to build a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to guide the ISS to a controlled reentry, ensuring it burns up safely over a remote part of the Pacific Ocean. Why Elon Musk wants ISS deorbited Elon Musk argues that the ISS's mounting maintenance costs -- estimated at $3-4 billion annually -- are a drain on resources that could be better spent on humanity's next frontier: Mars. 'The ISS was a great achievement, but it's a 20th-century project,' Musk said in a follow-up post on Twitter. 'If we want to become a multi-planetary species, we need to stop tinkering with old hardware and go all-in on Mars.' His vision for a self-sustaining Martian colony has been a cornerstone of SpaceX's mission since its founding in 2002, with the company's Starship rocket designed to carry crews and cargo to the Red Planet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo What supporters of International Space Station say Critics, however, argue that Musk's push to abandon the ISS overlooks its ongoing contributions. The station hosts experiments in microgravity that have advanced medical research, materials science, and our understanding of long-term space habitation -- knowledge critical for Mars missions. 'The ISS isn't just a lab; it's a symbol of what nations can achieve together,' said Dr. Ellen Stofan, former NASA chief scientist, in a statement to Reuters. 'Dismissing it prematurely risks losing that momentum.' The ISS is a joint effort of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada, and its cooperative framework has weathered geopolitical tensions, including recent strains with Russia over Ukraine. Elon Musk's 'time to retire ISS' divides the internet Public reaction on Twitter too reflect the divide. 'Musk is right—ISS is a money pit. Mars is the future,' posted user @SpacePioneer2030, echoing sentiments from those who see the station as outdated. Others, like @AstroGeek42, countered: 'The ISS still delivers science you can't get anywhere else. Why ditch it before we're ready?' The debate underscores a broader tension in space policy: balancing immediate scientific gains with long-term exploration goals. NASA's current plan keeps the ISS operational until 2030, with private space stations like Axiom Space's proposed orbital habitat expected to fill the gap. But Musk's comments suggest he'd rather see that transition happen sooner. SpaceX, which already ferries astronauts and supplies to the ISS, is positioned to play a key role in both the station's end and the next chapter of space exploration. The company's reusable rockets have slashed launch costs, making ambitious projects like Mars missions more feasible. The tax bill's funding for the ISS and its deorbit underscores a pragmatic reality: the station's end is inevitable. Yet Musk's call to shift focus to Mars raises questions about priorities in an era of constrained budgets and competing global challenges. As one senior NASA official, speaking anonymously, told The Washington Post, 'Elon's not wrong that Mars is the big goal, but the ISS is still teaching us how to get there. It's not an either-or situation—yet."
News18
2 days ago
- News18
World's Biggest Mars Rock Could Fetch $4 Million At July Auction
A Martian meteorite, NWA-16788, weighing 24.67 kg, will be auctioned at Sotheby's. Found in Niger, it is estimated to fetch up to $4 million.
