Martian meteorite sells for record $5.3 million at Sotheby's
The auction on Wednesday for the rock known as NWA 16788 sparked a 15-minute bidding war between online and phone bidders.
"This is an amazing Martian meteorite that broke off of the Martian surface," said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chairman and global head of science and natural history, ahead of the auction.
The fragment was discovered in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the Sahara Desert, in Niger's remote Agadez region.
"The people there knew already that it was something special," said Hatton. "It wasn't until it got to the lab and pieces were tested that we realized, 'Oh my gosh, it's Martian.' And then when those results came back and we compared and saw, OK, it's not just Martian, it is the biggest piece of Mars on the planet."
About 5 million years ago, an asteroid or comet slammed into Mars so hard that rocks and other debris launched into space.
"So it comes hurtling... 140 million miles through space, makes it through Earth's atmosphere," said Hatton, noting that most things burn up in our planet's atmosphere.
"It's incredible that it made it through and then that it crashed in the middle of the desert instead of the middle of the ocean, in a place where we could find it, and that somebody who could recognize what it was found it.
"So there's a whole kind of process or a layer of things that have to happen in order for this to become reality and be here in front of us."
Just like its mother planet, NWA 16788 has a distinctly reddish hue, as well as signs of fusion crust from its violent descent through Earth's atmosphere.
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Business Times
18-07-2025
- Business Times
Martian meteorite sells for record US$5.3 million at Sotheby's
[NEW YORK] A 24.5-kg Martian meteorite that is the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth has sold for US$5.3 million at Sotheby's, setting a new auction record for a meteorite. The auction on Wednesday (Jul 16) for the rock known as NWA 16788 sparked a 15-minute bidding war between online and phone bidders. 'This is an amazing Martian meteorite that broke off of the Martian surface,' said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chairman and global head of science and natural history, ahead of the auction. The fragment was discovered in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the Sahara Desert, in Niger's remote Agadez region. 'The people there knew already that it was something special,' said Hatton. 'It wasn't until it got to the lab and pieces were tested that we realised, 'Oh my gosh, it's Martian.' And then when those results came back and we compared and saw, OK, it's not just Martian, it is the biggest piece of Mars on the planet.' About five million years ago, an asteroid or comet slammed into Mars so hard that rocks and other debris launched into space. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up 'So it comes hurtling... 140 million miles through space, makes it through Earth's atmosphere,' said Hatton, noting that most things burn up in our planet's atmosphere. 'It's incredible that it made it through and then that it crashed in the middle of the desert instead of the middle of the ocean, in a place where we could find it, and that somebody who could recognise what it was found it. 'So there's a whole kind of process or a layer of things that have to happen in order for this to become reality and be here in front of us.' Just like its mother planet, NWA 16788 has a distinctly reddish hue, as well as signs of fusion crust from its violent descent through Earth's atmosphere. There are about 400 officially recognised Martian meteorites on Earth, of which NWA 16788 is by far the largest. REUTERS
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Straits Times
Meteorite from Mars sells for record $6.8m at auction
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The meteorite - known as NWA 16788 - was discovered in 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the Sahara Desert, in Niger's remote Agadez region. NEW YORK - A 24.5kg Martian meteorite that is the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth has sold for US$5.3 million (S$6.8 million) at Sotheby's, setting a new auction record for a meteorite. The auction on July 16 for the rock known as NWA 16788 sparked a 15-minute bidding war between online and phone bidders. 'This is an amazing Martian meteorite that broke off of the Martian surface,' said Ms Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chairman and global head of science and natural history, ahead of the auction. The fragment was discovered in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the Sahara Desert, in Niger's remote Agadez region. 'The people there knew already that it was something special,' said Hatton. 'It wasn't until it got to the lab and pieces were tested that we realised, 'Oh my gosh, it's Martian.' 'And then when those results came back and we compared and saw, 'OK, it's not just Martian, it is the biggest piece of Mars on the planet'.' About five million years ago, an asteroid or comet slammed into Mars so hard that rocks and other debris launched into space. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Asia Air India probe into Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail 'So it comes hurtling... 140 million miles (225 million km) through space, makes it through Earth's atmosphere,' said Ms Hatton, noting that most things burn up in our planet's atmosphere. 'It's incredible that it made it through and then that it crashed in the middle of the desert instead of the middle of the ocean, in a place where we could find it, and that somebody who could recognise what it was found it. 'So there's a whole kind of process or a layer of things that have to happen in order for this to become reality and be here in front of us.' Just like its mother planet, NWA 16788 has a distinctly reddish hue, as well as signs of fusion crust from its violent descent through Earth's atmosphere. There are about 400 officially recognised Martian meteorites on Earth, of which NWA 16788 is by far the largest. AFP
CNA
17-07-2025
- CNA
Martian meteorite sells for record $5.3 million at Sotheby's
NEW YORK :A 54-pound (24.5-kg) Martian meteorite that is the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth has sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby's, setting a new auction record for a meteorite. The auction on Wednesday for the rock known as NWA 16788 sparked a 15-minute bidding war between online and phone bidders. "This is an amazing Martian meteorite that broke off of the Martian surface," said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chairman and global head of science and natural history, ahead of the auction. The fragment was discovered in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the Sahara Desert, in Niger's remote Agadez region. "The people there knew already that it was something special," said Hatton. "It wasn't until it got to the lab and pieces were tested that we realized, 'Oh my gosh, it's Martian.' And then when those results came back and we compared and saw, OK, it's not just Martian, it is the biggest piece of Mars on the planet." About 5 million years ago, an asteroid or comet slammed into Mars so hard that rocks and other debris launched into space. "So it comes hurtling... 140 million miles through space, makes it through Earth's atmosphere," said Hatton, noting that most things burn up in our planet's atmosphere. "It's incredible that it made it through and then that it crashed in the middle of the desert instead of the middle of the ocean, in a place where we could find it, and that somebody who could recognize what it was found it. "So there's a whole kind of process or a layer of things that have to happen in order for this to become reality and be here in front of us." Just like its mother planet, NWA 16788 has a distinctly reddish hue, as well as signs of fusion crust from its violent descent through Earth's atmosphere.
