From Mars To New York: Largest-Known Martian Meteorite On Earth Sold For $5.3 Million

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 19:56 IST

The Mars meteorite was initially offered with advance bids of $1.9 million and $2 million.

The rare meteorite weighs 54 pounds and was first discovered in the Sahara Desert (Image: Instagram)

The largest known piece of Mars on Earth has now been sold for over $5 million. The auction of the Martian meteorite took place at an event in New York on Wednesday, July 16. The bidding event also featured other rare geological and archaeological items, reported AP.

According to records, the Martian rock was auctioned for $4.3 million, with additional fees bringing the total to nearly $5.3 million. However, it was not the highest bid of the day. A rare juvenile dinosaur skeleton stole the spotlight, drawing in over $30 million.

While the identity of the buyer has not been revealed, Sotheby’s confirmed that this is the most valuable meteorite ever sold at an auction.

What is NWA 16788, the Largest Martian Meteorite on Earth?

The rare meteorite weighs 54 pounds and was first discovered in the Sahara Desert in Niger in November 2023. According to Sotheby’s, the rock, named NWA 16788, broke off the Martian surface after a massive asteroid impact. The initials “NWA" stand for Northwest Africa, where it was recovered. It is believed to have travelled an astonishing 140 million miles before landing on Earth.

The Mars meteorite was initially offered with advance bids of $1.9 million and $2 million. However, the live bidding was less intense than expected. The meteorite is reportedly 70% larger than the next-largest piece of Mars found on Earth. This piece measures approximately 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches.

Although it is unclear exactly when the rock broke off from Mars, scientists estimate the event occurred in relatively recent geological time. It is said to have “deep red hue" and a “glassy crust", as per Sotheby’s.

Cassandra Hatton, Vice Chairman for Science and Natural History at Sotheby’s, said the rock’s identity was confirmed through specialised laboratory analysis. It was tested for chemical compositions that matched those found in other Martian meteorites, including samples examined during NASA’s Viking space probe missions.

The Martian rock has been classified as an olivine-microgabbroic shergottite, meaning it was formed by the slow cooling of Martian magma deep below the planet’s surface. Interestingly, out of the 77,000 officially recognised meteorites found on Earth, there are only 400 Martian meteorites identified so far.

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News world From Mars To New York: Largest-Known Martian Meteorite On Earth Sold For $5.3 Million