A meteorite from Mars discovered in Niger has been sold for a record-breaking $5.3 million at Sotheby’s in New York.
It is the highest price ever paid for a piece of rock from another planet.
Known as Northwest Africa 16788 (NWA 16788), the meteorite weighs approximately 25 kilograms and is classified as a shergottite, an igneous rock type originating from Mars.
The specimen is the largest known Martian meteorite ever recovered on Earth, surpassing the size of any previously documented samples by more than 70 percent.
The sale occurred during Sotheby’s annual “Geek Week” auction, an event dedicated to rare scientific and technological artifacts.
Bidding began at $4.3 million but quickly escalated, with the final sale price reaching $5.3 million including buyer’s premiums.
Sotheby’s Global Head of Science and Popular Culture, Cassandra Hatton, described the specimen as “a truly exceptional and singular object from another world.”
She emphasized the meteorite’s scientific and historical significance, calling it “a window into the geology of another planet.”
The rock was first discovered in November 2023 in Niger’s Agadez region by local meteorite hunters.
Experts believe the meteorite was ejected from the Martian surface millions of years ago following a powerful impact event, eventually landing in the Sahara.
Fewer than 400 verified Martian meteorites are known to exist, most of which are held in public institutions or research laboratories.
The sale of NWA 16788 to a private collector has prompted mixed reactions from the scientific community.
While some researchers raised concerns about access for future study, others noted that private auctions often facilitate the discovery and preservation of rare specimens.
A portion of the meteorite has already been reserved for scientific analysis and archived at China’s Purple Mountain Observatory, ensuring at least some access for future research.
The sale highlights the growing interest in planetary science and private space-related collectibles.
It also draws attention to the African continent’s role in global scientific discoveries, particularly the Sahara region, which has become a hotspot for rare meteorite finds due to its dry climate and expansive desert terrain.
The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed.
