Sotheby’s Auctions Giant Martian Meteorite
“Natural History” event features extraterrestrial specimen valued at millions
New York City is set to host a spectacular “Natural History” auction this Wednesday, July 16, where Sotheby’s will present a remarkable collection. The centerpiece is an exceptionally large meteorite fragment from Mars, expected to fetch between $2 to $4 million.
Unprecedented Martian Discovery
The renowned auction house revealed that this significant red-brown Martian piece was discovered by meteoriticists in Niger in November 2022. Experts believe it originated from Mars, ejected by a colossal asteroid impact millions of years ago, before embarking on a 140-million-mile journey to Earth.
The meteorite, found in the vast Sahara Desert, represents the largest known sample of Martian material ever recovered. Its discovery offers a unique glimpse into the planet’s ancient past and geological history.
A New Benchmark for Meteorite Sales
This upcoming sale highlights the growing market for extraterrestrial artifacts. In a comparable event, the lunar meteorite “The Chengtu” sold for $850,000 in 2021, demonstrating the significant value placed on samples from other celestial bodies (source: Christie’s).
Sotheby’s has previously facilitated record-breaking sales of meteorites, but this Martian specimen is anticipated to set a new benchmark. Its immense size and provenance make it a truly extraordinary item for collectors and institutions alike.
