A Meteorite from Mars Goes Under the Hammer!

Get ready, space enthusiasts! At Sotheby's upcoming Natural History Auction, a stunning Martian meteorite is set to steal the spotlight. This is no ordinary rock; it's the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth, and it's grabbing headlines with an expected price tag of up to $4 million!

NWA 16788: The Marvel Beneath Our Feet

Dubbed NWA 16788, this extraordinary meteorite weighs a whopping 25 kilograms—approximately twice as heavy as the next largest Martian specimen. Discovered recently in the Sahara Desert of Niger, its reddish-brown crust radiates a distinctive Martian hue, suggesting it was ejected from the Red Planet by an asteroid impact.

Only around 400 Martian meteorites are known to exist on Earth, collectively weighing about 374 kilograms. This remarkable rock constitutes around 6.5% of all known Martian material on our planet—a rarity for sure!

A Newcomer from Outer Space

According to Sotheby's catalog, NWA 16788 exhibits minimal terrestrial weathering, implying that it has maintained its physical and chemical integrity since entering Earth's atmosphere. In layman's terms, this means it’s a recent arrival from the cosmos!

Anticipated Bids Skyrocket!

This extraterrestrial treasure is expected to command between $2 million and $4 million during the auction on July 16. As of a few days before, it had already attracted a pre-auction bid of an impressive $1.6 million!

More Celestial Wonders Await!

But wait, there's more! Among the 122 other lots is a remarkable lunar sphere—the largest known piece of the moon available for sale. Hailing from the same Sahara region as the Martian meteorite, it's part of a meager 1,536 kilograms of confirmed lunar meteorites discovered globally. This spherical piece, measuring 120 mm across and weighing 2.54 kilograms, is expected to sell for between $300,000 and $500,000.

A Glimpse into Cosmic History

Another fascinating item on the auction block is the Allende meteorite, which witnessed a fiery spectacle in the skies above Mexico in 1969. Studied by NASA scientists, it offers insights into the solar system's origins and is often referred to as the "Rosetta Stone for planetologists." And this ancient relic is anticipated to sell for a cool $3,000 to $5,000.

A Journey to the Stars Awaits You at Sotheby’s!

Mark your calendars because this auction is more than just a sale; it's a rare opportunity to own a piece of space history! Who knows what cosmic wonders will emerge from the stars next?