Martian Meteorite NWA 16788. © Sotheby’s
Martian Meteorite NWA 16788, the largest piece of Mars on Earth, exceeds auction expectations and becomes the most valuable rock from the Red Planet.
A massive Martian meteorite known as NWA 16788 has shattered records by becoming the largest known piece of Mars ever found on Earth. Weighing 24.67 kilograms (54.39 pounds), it far surpasses the previous largest Martian meteorite, Taoudenni 002, which weighed 14.51 kg and was found in Mali in 2021.
Martian Meteorite NWA 16788. © Sotheby’s
Originally expected to sell for between $2 million and $4 million at Sotheby’s, NWA 16788 surprised many when it was auctioned off for $5.296 million. Its excellent condition and scientific importance likely helped drive up the price.
The meteorite was discovered on November 16, 2023, by a hunter in Niger’s remote Agadez region. It is around 70% larger than the next biggest Martian rock found on Earth. Martian meteorites are extremely rare—out of more than 77,000 officially recognized meteorites, only about 400 are from Mars, totaling about 374 kg (825 pounds). That means NWA 16788 alone accounts for approximately 6.5% of all Martian material known to science.
Martian Meteorite NWA 16788. © Sotheby’s
The meteorite is coated in a reddish-brown fusion crust that gives it its Martian look. Its surface also features regmaglypts—thumbprint-like indentations caused by the intense heat and pressure as it flew through Earth’s atmosphere.
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