NWA 16788, a 54-pound chunk of Mars, was auctioned for $5.3 million. Discovered in the Sahara Desert on July 16, 2023, it likely originated from Mars after being expelled by an impact. The meteorite traveled 140 million miles before entering Earth's atmosphere. Experts confirmed its authenticity using Viking landers' data on Martian rock composition. This sample represents over 6 percent of all Martian material found on Earth, with approximately 400 samples collected so far. It was purchased by a private collector, limiting scientific access to its geological analysis.
The meteorite, dubbed NWA 16788, weighs 54 pounds and was purchased at auction for $5.3 million by an unknown bidder.
This 54-pound chunk of Mars was discovered in the Sahara Desert and is believed to have been blasted off the Martian surface by an impact.
The rock's composition was verified by experts in China and Italy, using data from the Viking Mars landers, confirming its origin.
The sample constitutes more than 6 percent of all Martian material found on Earth, amidst around 400 samples collected so far.
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