• The largest known Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby's.
• Weighing 54 pounds and discovered in Niger, it's 70% larger than any other Martian fragment.
• Experts believe the rock provides significant insights into Mars’ geological history.
• The auction featured other valuable items, including a dinosaur skeleton that sold for $30 million.
• The meteorite’s journey from Mars involved a recent asteroid impact and a 140 million-mile trip to Earth.

The largest known piece of Mars ever found on Earth, a meteorite known as NWA 16788, was sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby's auction in New York. This hefty rock, weighing 54 pounds (25 kilograms), was sold during an auction that featured over 100 rare items, including a dinosaur skeleton that fetched more than $30 million. Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman of science and natural history at Sotheby's, described the meteorite as "unbelievably rare," with only about 400 recognized Martian meteorites known globally, according to abcnews and bbc.

The meteorite was discovered in November 2023 in the Sahara Desert, after being propelled from Mars by a powerful asteroid impact. Hatton noted that NWA 16788 is roughly 70% larger than the next largest retrieved Martian fragment. The journey to Earth spanned a staggering 140 million miles. During the auction, the final bid for the meteorite hit $4.3 million, but with additional fees, the total price reached approximately $5.3 million, making it the most valuable meteorite ever auctioned, according to huffpost and reuters.

Scientists identify the meteorite as an "olivine-microgabbroic shergottite," indicating it formed from volcanic activity on Mars. Testing confirmed its Martian origin by matching its chemical composition with data from NASA’s Viking missions. This analysis further revealed that about 6.5% of all Martian material on Earth is contained in this single rock. Hatton emphasized its significance stating, "This isn’t just a miraculous find, but a massive data set that can help us unlock the secrets of our neighbor, the red planet," according to indiatimes and aa.

The auction itself witnessed international participation, generating excitement surrounding the rare geological find. The competitive bidding lasted approximately 15 minutes, as numerous parties vied for ownership of the unique meteorite. Sotheby's also reported that the auction featured significant dinosaur fossils, including a rare juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton, which sold for an astounding total exceeding $30 million, adding to the landmark nature of the event, according to indiatimes and huffpost.