Martian Meteorite NWA 16788 Sells for $5.3 Million at Sotheby's

The Martian meteorite NWA 16788, weighing approximately 54 pounds, is the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth and was sold for a record $5.3 million at a Sotheby's auction. Discovered in Niger's Sahara Desert in November 2023, the rock traveled an estimated 140 million miles through space after being ejected from Mars by an asteroid impact about 5 million years ago. The auction sparked debate over the privatization of such rare extraterrestrial material, with concerns from some scientists about the rock potentially disappearing into a private collection rather than being accessible for research and public display. Sotheby's confirmed proper documentation and adherence to standard procedures in handling the meteorite, while the anonymous buyer is allowing scientists to retain a research sample. The sale highlights the growing intersection of planetary science and alternative investments, as meteorites become valuable assets with low correlation to traditional markets. This event also raises broader questions about the stewardship and scientific accessibility of extraterrestrial objects amid increasing private ownership.