Largest piece of Mars on Earth sells for over $5M but rare dinosaur fossil makes more at auction
Bidding war for a piece of Mars
Reportedly, the meteorite, sold for $4.3 million ($5.3 million after fees), set a new record as the most valuable of its kind, though live bidding moved slowly at times. The real drama came with a juvenile ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton, one of just four known and the only young specimen. With an early offer of $6 million, six bidders battled for six intense minutes. The price jumped in $500,000 and $1 million increments before slamming down at $26 million, sparking applause across the Sotheby's auction room.
Also Read: 'Super Earth': NASA discovers giant planet sending mysterious signal 154 light years away
Juvenile ceratosaurus to be loaned for exhibition
The new owner of the $26 million Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton plans to loan it to an institution, Sotheby's confirmed. It now ranks as the third-priciest dinosaur ever sold, behind 2024's record-breaking $44.6 million Stegosaurus, 'Apex.' Discovered in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, and reassembled with 140 bones, the juvenile predator, over 6 feet tall and 11 feet long, dates back 150 million years to the late Jurassic period.
Also Read: Limited edition Labubu doll nears $10,000 mark in auction: All you need to know
Weighing heavy and streaked in reds and grays, the Martian meteorite NWA 16788 is no ordinary rock. Measuring 15 inches across, it is 70% bigger than any other Mars fragment on Earth and accounts for nearly 7% of all Martian material ever recovered.
FAQs
How much did the Mars meteorite sell for?
It sold for $4.3 million at Sotheby's, minus fees.
How much did the dinosaur skeleton sell for?
The ceratosaurus skeleton was sold for $26 million.
What made this auction special?
Rare fossils and meteorites drew intense bids from collectors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Germany turns live cockroaches into spies with AI-powered backpacks
Image: Reuters In a move straight out of a science fiction novel, Germany is pioneering the use of live cockroaches as covert surveillance tools. A tech startup called SWARM Biotactics , based in Kassel, is developing AI-powered "backpacks" that are mounted on real cockroaches, effectively turning them into biologically integrated spy agents. These miniature devices are equipped with sensors, cameras, and neural stimulators, allowing remote control and autonomous swarming in tight or inaccessible environments, according to Reuters. Backed by over €13 million in funding, this innovation is set to redefine the future of surveillance and battlefield intelligence. From lab to battlefield: How the spy cockroach works SWARM Biotactics' technology involves fitting Madagascar hissing cockroaches with ultra-lightweight, AI-enabled backpacks. These include: Tiny cameras for real-time reconnaissance Environmental sensors to detect gas, radiation, or heat Neural stimulators that send signals to the insect's nervous system to direct movement Wireless communication modules for operator control or swarm-level coordination This tech allows the bugs to slip through rubble, walls, or tight spaces where conventional drones fail—making them ideal for urban combat zones, hostage rescues, or disaster response, according to Reuters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo Why cockroaches? A perfect spy in the shadows Cockroaches are small, durable, and capable of navigating cramped, complex terrain—traits that make them the perfect living platform for micro-surveillance. Unlike mechanical robots, they require no energy to move and can survive in extreme conditions, all while carrying payloads of up to 3 grams. Their movements can be guided using low-voltage impulses to the antenna or cerci, making them semi-autonomous with human override. Combined with AI, these biological machines are designed to act individually or as a swarm to map, monitor, or infiltrate hard-to-reach areas. Funded for the future: Germany's defense-tech push SWARM Biotactics recently secured €13 million in funding, including €10 million in a seed round aimed at transitioning this bio-robotic tech from laboratory research to field deployment. According to Reuters, the initiative aligns with Germany's broader effort to integrate cutting-edge startups into its defense innovation ecosystem, much like the U.S. DARPA model. This startup is also collaborating with security agencies and research institutions to develop protocols for field operations, ethical deployment, and swarm integration in live missions. While the primary use is for military surveillance and reconnaissance, the company also sees applications in disaster relief, such as locating survivors in collapsed buildings or chemical hazard detection in industrial zones. These AI-equipped insects could soon become part of firefighting, urban planning, and search-and-rescue operations. A new era of surveillance is crawling closer Germany's cockroach-cyborg initiative signals a new frontier in espionage and robotics—one that merges biology with artificial intelligence. While still in its early stages, the technology has already captured the attention of defense strategists worldwide. As development progresses, these living surveillance agents might soon redefine how wars are fought and crises are managed—one silent scurry at a time. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Nasa under attack: Mass layoffs, budget cuts hit American space dominance
As the American space agency prepares for the launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station as part of Crew-11 mission, Nasa is in the midst of an unprecedented scientists, engineers, and workers across the United States are protesting a sweeping wave of layoffs following dramatic budget cuts enacted under the Trump administration. Nearly 20% of the agency's workforce, estimated at 3,870 employees, are set to leave, dramatically shrinking Nasa from over 18,000 employees to around 14,000. Many agency veterans say morale has plummeted. (Photo: Reuters) advertisementSWEEPING CHANGES The departures come via the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), a buyout-style initiative introduced as part of a broader federal effort to create a 'leaner and more efficient' officials insist the agency remains committed to safety and exploration goals, including planned missions to the Moon and Mars, internal experts warn that the loss of institutional knowledge and talent poses grave risks to future protests broke out over the weekend, with hundreds of Nasa employees, contractors, their families, and supporters gathering outside iconic sites like the Smithsonian National Air and Space UNDER THREATRally organisers decried what they called 'preemptive compliance' with an unfinished budget, fearing the agency's storied legacy and scientific safety standards had been undermined before Congress had finalised funding agency veterans say morale has plummeted. The layoffs, implemented in two waves throughout 2025, have triggered a chain reaction of resignations and retirements, with workers expressing concerns that crucial 'brain drain' is happening too quickly for any meaningful succession planning.'We are here because Nasa is under attack,' one protest leader declared, warning that the erosion of experience and oversight could imperil future missions and even astronaut safety. The departures come via the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP). (Photo: Reuters) Adding to frustrations, nearly 300 Nasa scientists and engineers have co-signed the 'Voyager Declaration,' an open letter protesting the funding cuts and organisational declaration cautions that the rapid personnel losses and elimination of critical programs could bring about 'irreparable damage,' particularly to Nasa's ability to pursue climate research, advanced aeronautics, and deep space assurances from the agency's leadership that safety and innovation remain priorities, those on the front lines say the mass departures and persistent uncertainty have left Nasa 'demoralised' and at a continue to call on US Congress to act swiftly, warning that America's preeminence in space and science is at stake.- Ends
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk says, ‘I specialize in the impossible'; orbital refueling is Starship's next big challenge
Elon Musk , CEO of SpaceX , has called orbital refueling as the next major engineering hurdle for the company's ambitious Starship rocket. Speaking at an event, Musk emphasized the complexity of developing a system that allows two massive spacecraft to dock in orbit and transfer propellant—something no one has achieved before. He framed the challenge as part of a broader vision to create a fully reusable rocket system capable of supporting long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. 'I specialize in the impossible to merely late,' Musk quipped. Elon Musk outlines Starship's critical leap forward in orbit Musk explained that successful orbital refueling would involve two Starships docking in space and transferring propellant, essentially transforming one vehicle into a fuel depot. This innovation is essential for enabling deep space missions , especially those targeting Mars, which require significantly more fuel than can be carried on a single launch. Musk hinted at the possibility of creating an orbital propellant depot to streamline future missions. Beyond refueling, Musk noted another formidable challenge: creating a fully reusable orbital heat shield. 'No one has ever done this before,' he said. Heat shields typically degrade after reentry, making reusability difficult. However, for Starship to become economically viable and mission-ready, solving this engineering issue is paramount. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Always Put a Plastic Bottle on Your Tires when Parked, Here's Why Cleverst Undo Starship aims to slash launch costs dramatically Musk reiterated that the end goal is to make spaceflight dramatically cheaper. A fully reusable rocket and booster system would reduce costs to less than those of the original Falcon 1 rocket, revolutionizing space logistics. Lower costs could open the door to commercial space travel , lunar bases, and sustained Martian exploration. Musk's remarks also came amid rising political tensions. President Donald Trump recently questioned government subsidies for Musk's ventures, and the administration is reportedly considering alternate partners for the $175 billion Golden Dome defense project. Musk defended SpaceX, claiming it wins NASA contracts by doing a better job for a fraction of the cost and that the subsidies Trump mentioned did not exist. Starship's next launch expected in August The next major Starship launch is expected in August, and Musk promised further updates ahead of the event. With SpaceX racing toward its vision of interplanetary travel, the success or failure of orbital refueling will be a defining milestone in the company's quest to reshape space exploration.
