Sotheby’s auction house has put the NWA 16788 meteorite up for sale. Its estimated value is between $2 million and $4 million. The high price is explained by the fact that it is the largest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth.
NWA 16788 was found in the Sahara Desert in 2023. It is not known exactly the time it fell to Earth, but it appears to have happened in recent years. This is indicated by the fact that its physical and chemical composition has not undergone significant changes since its landing in the Sahara Desert.
Laboratory analysis confirmed that NWA 16788 originated on Mars. Its isotopic composition is similar to that of Martian soil measured by the Viking mission. The study shows that NWA 16788 is a so-called “Olivine microgabbro shergottites” — a type of Martian rock formed as a result of the slow cooling of Martian magma. It has a coarse-grained texture and contains the minerals pyroxene and olivine.
A significant portion (21.2% by volume) of the meteorite consists of glass known as maskelynite, formed as a result of an asteroid striking the surface of Mars with such force that, under the influence of intense heat and pressure, the original feldspar underwent metamorphosis and was ejected from the planet’s surface. Given the force required to eject any material from the surface of Mars into space, researchers believe that there are only about 19 craters large enough to be potential sources of Martian meteorites.
It is worth noting that fragments of Mars are incredibly rare: of more than 77,000 officially recognized meteorites, only 400 are Martian, with a total mass of approximately 374 kg. Thus, with a weight of 24.67 kg, NWA 16788 accounts for approximately 6.5% of all known Martian material to date.
The meteorite was previously exhibited at the Italian Space Agency in Rome. Sotheby’s has not disclosed the name of the owner.You can also read about another Martian meteorite that turned out to be unexpectedly rich in organic matter.
