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.
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.
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.
