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Time of India
7 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
A dinosaur, Steve Jobs' first Apple computer and a rock from Mars are going for sale
Sotheby's is hosting its 'Geek Week' auction in New York this month, featuring a rare Ceratosaurus skeleton , an original Apple-1 computer , and space memorabilia from astronaut Buzz Aldrin's personal collection. The event brings together highlights from the categories of Natural History, History of Science & Technology, and Space Exploration. Rare Ceratosaurus and Martian meteorite among natural history highlights The key item in the Natural History category is a 10-foot-8-inch-long Ceratosaurus skeleton with a nearly complete skull. Excavated in Wyoming in 1996, the fossil is believed to be a juvenile and dates back 150 million years. Only four such specimens are known to exist. Sotheby's has estimated the price at $4 million to $6 million, and the current bid stands at $3.5 million. Also on offer is the 'largest piece of Mars on Earth,' a Martian meteorite discovered in Niger's Kefkaf region in 2023. It was later verified by the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. Known as NWA 16788, the meteorite is 70% larger than the next largest known Mars rock on Earth and makes up about 6.5% of all Martian material identified on the planet. It is expected to sell for $2 million to $4 million. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo Apple-1 computer and early tech manual in spotlight The History of Science & Technology section features an Apple-1 computer known as the 'Romkey' model. It is one of the original 50 units hand-built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak and is estimated to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000. It previously sold for $365,000 in 2015. This batch was commissioned by Paul Terrell, owner of the Byte Shop, after he saw a demo at the Home Brew Computer Club. Another rare item is the only known copy of the first electronic computer manual — for the Binary Automatic Computer (BINAC) — written in 1949 by Joseph D. Chapline. Sotheby's has valued it between $30,000 and $50,000. Live Events Apollo artifacts and Buzz Aldrin's lunar checklist lead space collection In the Space Exploration category, the complete set of 11 flown Apollo Robbins Medallions from Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa's collection is a key lot. These medallions, minted in limited numbers for each Apollo mission, were flown as mementos. The set is expected to sell for $100,000 to $150,000. Also featured is a sheet from the Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Checklist, signed by Buzz Aldrin and marked 'CARRIED IN EAGLE / TO THE LUNAR SURFACE.' It is accompanied by a letter from Aldrin, stating, 'If conditions arose where Neil Armstrong and I had to make an immediate lift-off from the moon, we would have referred to this sheet … The complete checklist for lunar surface activities was a vital document to the success of our mission. It provided information on steps required to operate equipment associated with the first lunar landing.' The lot carries an estimated value of $20,000 to $30,000. Sotheby's Geek Week continues to draw interest from collectors of science, technology, and space history.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Largest Mars Rock on Earth Could Sell For US$4 Million
The most massive chunk of Mars ever found on Earth could sell for up to US$4 million in a Sotheby's auction later this month. Believed to be the largest individual Martian rock recovered so far, the meteorite (officially named NWA-16788) weighs in at 24.67 kilograms (54.39 pounds). That's about 70 percent larger than the previous record-holder, Taoudenni 002, a meteorite found in Mali back in 2021 that weighed 14.51 kg. A meteorite hunter came across NWA-16788 in November 2023, in the sparsely populated Agadez region of Niger, which is far better known for its dinosaur fossils than its meteorites. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum confirmed the rock's Martian identity based on a small sample sent there, and now this interplanetary treasure has a price tag, too. Related: The meteorite "shows minimal terrestrial weathering, indicating that its physical and chemical makeup have not been significantly altered since its arrival in the Sahara Desert," the Sotheby's listing explains. "In other words, NWA-16788 is likely a relative newcomer here on Earth, having fallen from outer space rather recently." Based on the high percentage of a glass called maskelynite, and a few shock-melted areas, we know that this rock was probably sent flying when a severe asteroid crashed into its home planet. The Sotheby's listing states the meteorite was "formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma and [is] characterized by a coarse-grained texture composed primarily of pyroxene, maskelynite, and olivine." Some scientists question whether such a rare specimen should be up for sale. "It would be a shame if it disappeared into the vault of an oligarch," paleontologist Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh told Jack Guy at CNN. "It belongs in a museum, where it can be studied, and where it can be enjoyed by children and families and the public at large." But planetary scientist Julia Cartwright from the University of Leicester gave CNN a different opinion: "The scientific interest will remain, and the new owner may be very interested in learning from it, so we may still gather lots of science from this." The Sotheby's auction will begin on July 16 at 14:00 UTC. Here's How to Watch Mercury Photobomb Your 4th of July Fireworks It's Official: NASA Confirms New Interstellar Object Is Zooming Through Solar System Space Cargo of Human Remains And Cannabis Lost at Sea Following Mission Failure
NDTV
04-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
World's Largest Mars Rock Ever Found Could Sell For $4 Million At Sotheby's
A massive Martian meteorite, believed to be the largest ever discovered on Earth, is set to go under the hammer at a Sotheby's auction later this month. The rock, officially named NWA-16788, weighs an impressive 24.67 kilograms (54.39 pounds), making it approximately 70% larger than the previous record-holder, Taoudenni 002, which was found in Mali in 2021 and weighed 14.51 kg. The rare meteorite was discovered in November 2023 by a meteorite hunter in the Agadez region of Niger, an area typically known for dinosaur fossils rather than space rocks. A sample of the meteorite was sent to the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, which confirmed its Martian origin. Experts now estimate that this one-of-a-kind specimen could sell for up to US$4 million, attracting interest from collectors and scientific institutions alike. The sale offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of Mars without leaving Earth. "NWA 16788 is covered in a reddish-brown fusion crust, giving it an unmistakable Martian hue. 'Regmaglypts', or surface depressions formed by frictional heating during rapid descent through Earth's atmosphere, are also visible on the surface of the meteorite,' the Sotheby's listing explains."NWA 16788 shows minimal terrestrial weathering, indicating that its physical and chemical makeup have not been significantly altered since its arrival in the Sahara Desert. In other words, NWA 16788 is likely a relative newcomer here on Earth, having fallen from outer space rather recently." The meteorite will go under the hammer at Sotheby's New York on July 16. For some, the fact that the meteorite is being sold rather than donated to science is cause for concern. "It would be a shame if it disappeared into the vault of an oligarch. It belongs in a museum, where it can be studied, and where it can be enjoyed by children and families and the public at large," Steve Brusatte, a professor of paleontology and evolution at Scotland's University of Edinburgh, told CNN on Wednesday. But for Julia Cartwright, a planetary scientist and Independent Research Fellow in the Institute for Space/School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Leicester, England, there is a balance to be struck. "Ultimately, if there was no market for searching, collecting and selling meteorites, we would not have anywhere near as many in our collections - and this drives the science!" she told CNN on Wednesday, describing a "symbiotic relationship" between researchers and collectors.
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Handbag-sized rock found on floor is actually worth £2.9 MILLION after experts say it's biggest chunk of Mars ever found
Officially named NWA-16788, the specimen was discovered by a meteorite hunter in November 2023 COLD HARD CASH Handbag-sized rock found on floor is actually worth £2.9 MILLION after experts say it's biggest chunk of Mars ever found Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE largest chunk of Mars ever found on Earth could sell for up to £2.9million ($4million) in a Sotheby's auction later this month. Believed to have crashed here as a meteorite, the Martian rock weighs in at 24.67 kilograms (54.39 pounds). Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Officially named NWA-16788, the specimen was discovered by a meteorite hunter in November 2023 Credit: Sotheby's 4 The Shanghai Astronomy Museum has confirmed the rock's Martian identity based on a small sample sent there Credit: Sotheby's That's about 70 per cent larger than the previous record-holder - the 14.51kg Taoudenni 002 meteorite found in Mali back in 2021. Of the more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites on Earth, fewer than 400 originate from Mars. That makes the rock a particularly rare find. Officially named NWA-16788, the specimen was discovered by a meteorite hunter in November 2023. Somewhere in the sparsely populated Agadez region of Niger, an area better known for its dinosaur fossils than its meteorites, the unnamed explorer found the lump of rock. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum has confirmed the rock's Martian identity based on a small sample sent there. The meteorite "shows minimal terrestrial weathering, indicating that its physical and chemical makeup have not been significantly altered since its arrival in the Sahara Desert," Sotheby's said in its listing. "In other words, NWA-16788 is likely a relative newcomer here on Earth, having fallen from outer space rather recently." Meteorites - a space rock that fails to burn up on entry through Earth's atmosphere - frequently fall to Earth. Although must are small and land unnoticed, often in the oceans. Mars Rock Samples- The Stories They Could Tell Scientists at Nasa It's thought the rock started its journey to our blue dot when an asteroid crashed into Mars and sent debris flying into space. However, some scientists question whether such a rare specimen should be up for sale. "It would be a shame if it disappeared into the vault of an oligarch," paleontologist Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh told Jack Guy at CNN. "It belongs in a museum, where it can be studied, and where it can be enjoyed by children and families and the public at large." Planetary scientist Julia Cartwright, from the University of Leicester told CNN she hoped that the rock may still be used for science anyway. "The scientific interest will remain," she said. "The new owner may be very interested in learning from it, so we may still gather lots of science from this." Prior to landing at Sotheby's, the meteorite was show off to the public at an exhibition at the Italian Space Agency in Rome in 2024, and in a private gallery in Arezzo, Tuscany. The Sotheby's auction will begin on 16 July at 14:00 UTC. 4 It's thought the rock started its journey to our blue dot when an asteroid crashed into Mars and sent debris flying into space Credit: Sotheby's 4 Mars is pockmarked with asteroid impact craters Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Handbag-sized rock found on floor is actually worth £2.9 MILLION after experts say it's biggest chunk of Mars ever found
THE largest chunk of Mars ever found on Earth could sell for up to £2.9million ($4million) in a Sotheby's auction later this month. Believed to have crashed here as a meteorite, the Martian rock weighs in at 24.67 kilograms (54.39 pounds). Advertisement 4 Officially named NWA-16788, the specimen was discovered by a meteorite hunter in November 2023 Credit: Sotheby's 4 The Shanghai Astronomy Museum has confirmed the rock's Martian identity based on a small sample sent there Credit: Sotheby's That's about 70 per cent larger than the previous record-holder - the 14.51kg Taoudenni 002 meteorite found in Mali back in 2021. Of the more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites on Earth, fewer than 400 originate from Mars. That makes the rock a particularly rare find. Officially named NWA-16788, the specimen was discovered by a meteorite hunter in November 2023. Advertisement READ MORE ON MARS Somewhere in the sparsely populated Agadez region of Niger, an area better known for its dinosaur fossils than its meteorites , the unnamed explorer found the lump of rock. The Shanghai Astronomy Museum has confirmed the rock's Martian identity based on a small sample sent there. The meteorite "shows minimal terrestrial weathering, indicating that its physical and chemical makeup have not been significantly altered since its arrival in the Sahara Desert," Sotheby's said in its "In other words, NWA-16788 is likely a relative newcomer here on Earth, having fallen from outer space rather recently." Advertisement Most read in Tech Meteorites - a space rock that fails to burn up on entry through Earth's atmosphere - frequently fall to Earth. Although must are small and land unnoticed, often in the oceans. Mars Rock Samples- The Stories They Could Tell Scientists at Nasa It's thought the rock started its journey to our blue dot when an asteroid crashed into Mars and sent debris flying into space. However, some scientists question whether such a rare specimen should be up for sale. Advertisement "It would be a shame if it disappeared into the vault of an oligarch," paleontologist Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh . "It belongs in a museum, where it can be studied, and where it can be enjoyed by children and families and the public at large." Planetary scientist Julia Cartwright, from the University of Leicester told CNN she hoped that the rock may still be used for science anyway. "The scientific interest will remain," she said. Advertisement "The new owner may be very interested in learning from it, so we may still gather lots of science from this." Prior to landing at Sotheby's, the meteorite was show off to the public at an exhibition at the Italian Space Agency in Rome in 2024, and in a private gallery in Arezzo, Tuscany. The will begin on 16 July at 14:00 UTC. 4 It's thought the rock started its journey to our blue dot when an asteroid crashed into Mars and sent debris flying into space Credit: Sotheby's Advertisement 4 Mars is pockmarked with asteroid impact craters Credit: Alamy Mars facts Here's what you need to know about the red planet... Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun It is named after the Roman god of war The landmass of Mars is very similar to Earth but due to the difference in gravity you could jump three times higher there than you can here Mars is mountainous and hosts the tallest mountain known in the Solar System called Olympus Mons, which is three times higher than Everest Mars is considered to be the second most habitable planet after Earth It takes the planet 687 Earth days to orbit the Sun The planet has a diameter of 4,212 miles, and has an average distance from Earth of 140 million miles Martian temperatures can vary wildly, reaching as high as 70F/20C or as low as -225F/-153C
