Largest known Mars meteorite sells for $5.3 million at Sotheby’s

Srinagar, July 18: A rare piece of Mars has made history on Earth. Officially named NWA 16788, the 24.5-kg Martian meteorite — the largest of its kind ever found — sold for a record-breaking $5.3 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York, far exceeding its original estimate of $2–4 million.

Discovered in November 2023 by a seasoned meteorite hunter, NWA 16788 is remarkable not only for its massive size but also for its distinctive reddish hue. Its journey from the Red Planet to Earth has captivated scientists and collectors alike.

The auction saw a tense 15-minute bidding war between online and phone buyers, ending with an anonymous collector winning the ultra-rare Martian relic — now the most expensive meteorite ever sold at auction.