A rare and giant piece of the planet Mars is being sold at auction and could earn up to $6.8 million NZD. The rock, named NWA 16788, is being offered by Sotheby’s auction house and is the largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth.
The meteorite came from Mars after a powerful asteroid strike blasted it into space. It traveled 140 million miles before landing in the Sahara Desert, in Niger, West Africa, where it was discovered in November 2023.
Scientists say NWA 16788 is very special. There are only about 400 known Martian meteorites on Earth out of more than 77,000 total meteorites. This one weighs nearly 25 kilograms and is about 70% bigger than any other Martian rock found so far.
The outside of the rock is reddish-brown, a colour linked with Mars. Part of it is made of a shiny glass called maskelynite, which formed during the powerful impact that knocked it off the planet.
Experts say this is not just a big rock, it’s a scientific treasure. Cassandra Hatton from Sotheby’s said it gives people “a real piece of Mars,” helping us feel more connected to the Red Planet.
If the rock sells for the expected amount, between $3.6 million and $6.8 million, it will be the most valuable Martian meteorite ever sold.
