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The largest meteorite from Mars has been auctioned for a record sum

byMelissa Hekkers
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31 Jul 2025 13h07
A close up of a red moon in the sky
© Unsplash

In 2023, this rock from the Red Planet, torn from its landmass by a massive asteroid, was discovered in the Sahara.

The one dubbed NWA 16788, weighing nearly 25kg, is the largest meteorite (from Mars) ever discovered on our planet Earth. Holding this record, it was recently sold at auction for the modest sum of $4.3 million. A second record, then, since it became the most expensive Martian rock ever sold, reports the media outlet Futura-science.

The question then arises: now that NWA 16788 has been sold, will researchers be able to continue analyzing the material from this rare meteorite, a priceless treasure in the eyes of the scientific community? Only time will tell.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source : Futura-science - Illustration : ©Unsplash)