A woman holds a large brown meteorite while a close-up of the meteorite’s rocky surface is shown on the right. — A rock from Mars that crossed the solar system will be auctioned this month | La Derecha Diario

Camara — A rock from Mars that crossed the solar system will be auctioned this month | La Derecha Diario

A Martian rock that fell in the Sahara will be sold for millions

A 24-kilogram (53-pound) rock from Mars found in the Sahara will be auctioned for up to 4 million dollars

07/07/2025 11:08:00h

Editorial Team

A rock that traveled from Mars to the Sahara Desert will be auctioned this July 16 for a multimillion-dollar sum. This is the meteorite NWA 16788, a 24-kilogram (53-pound) fragment that has preserved its structure almost intact.

The discovery is generating global interest due to its rarity and the impact it could have on scientific research. With only 400 Martian rocks recorded on Earth, this piece represents a unique opportunity.

Impact of a meteorite entering Earth's atmosphere with a bright explosion above the clouds

A rock that traveled from Mars to the Sahara Desert will be auctioned | La Derecha Diario

A space rock that crossed the solar system

The meteorite was found in November 2023 by a specialized prospector in a remote area of Niger. According to Sotheby’s, its origin dates back to an asteroid impact that launched it from Mars to our planet.

After traveling more than 225 million kilometers (140 million miles), it ended up deposited in the Sahara Desert. Its size is 70% larger than any other Martian rock found on Earth.

An almost intact relic worth millions

The state of preservation of NWA 16788 is remarkable: it shows minimal terrestrial erosion and retains both its physical and chemical structure. This characteristic makes it a valuable sample for science.

Irregularly shaped brown stone on a white background

The preservation state of NWA 16788 is remarkable | La Derecha Diario

The auction house expects the rock to reach a value of up to 4 million dollars at auction. This is a rare event in the world of space research.

There are only 400 Martian rocks on Earth

According to available data, there are about 400 Martian rocks on our planet, with a total weight close to 374 kilograms (825 pounds). Each fragment is unique and scarce.

Martian landscape with an orange sky, the bright sun, and a planet visible on the horizon

There are only 400 Martian rocks on Earth | La Derecha Diario

The impact of this auction is not only economic, but also scientific and cultural.

The role of markets in science

Planetary scientist Julia Cartwright supports the sale of meteorites. She believes the market drives the search and collection of these unique pieces.

"If there were no market, science would have half the meteorites it has today," Cartwright explained. For her, it is a way to expand knowledge of the cosmos.

Person holding a large rock with a dark surface and rough texture

The role of markets in science | La Derecha Diario

What a meteorite is according to NASA

NASA defines a meteorite as any rock fragment that manages to pass through Earth's atmosphere and land intact. It is different from a meteor, which burns up upon entry, or a meteoroid, which remains in space.

This type of object helps reconstruct the history of the solar system and is key to understanding how the planets formed.

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