Get ready to witness a cosmic wonder as a rare Martian meteorite, weighing a staggering 54 pounds (25 kilograms), goes up for auction at Sotheby's in New York! Priced between $2 million to $4 million, this extraordinary rock is not just heavy, but also the largest piece of Mars ever discovered on our planet!

Known as NWA 16788, this mesmerizing meteorite will be part of a natural history sale that also features a jaw-dropping juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton—a true testament to Earth's ancient past. The auction is set for Wednesday, intertwining the realms of space and prehistoric Earth.

What makes this meteorite so special? Originating from a massive asteroid impact on Mars, it traveled an astounding 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) before crashing down in the Sahara Desert, where it was discovered by a meteorite hunter in Niger just last November.

With measurements of approximately 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches (375 mm by 279 mm by 152 mm), the NWA 16788 is around 70% larger than the next biggest Martian meteorite ever found. In fact, it comprises nearly 7% of all Martian materials currently residing on Earth!

Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice chairman for science and natural history, explains, 'This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot. It's more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.' This rock isn't just a collector's item; it's a slice of another world.

The meteorite was scientifically verified through rigorous testing in specialized labs, confirming its Martian origin. Scientists compared its unique chemical characteristics with those from Martian meteorites identified during the Viking mission in 1976. They found it to be an 'olivine-microgabbroic shergottite'—an exotic type of rock formed from cooling Martian magma.

Its surface boasts a glassy finish, an indication of the incredible heat it endured while hurtling through Earth's atmosphere. This phenomenal evidence makes it clear this isn't just an ordinary rock!

Previously showcased at the Italian Space Agency in Rome, the history of this meteorite is captivating. While the exact timeline of its arrival to Earth remains unclear, testing suggests it fell to our planet not long ago.

But that's not all! The auction also features a juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton unearthed in 1996 in Wyoming. This dinosaur, akin to its more famous cousin the Tyrannosaurus rex but smaller at around 25 feet (7.6 meters), dates back to the late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. Its estimated auction price? A jaw-dropping $4 million to $6 million!

Mark your calendars for this extraordinary auction, part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025, showcasing 122 items including additional meteorites, fossils, and exquisite gem-quality minerals. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of the universe!