Martian Meteorite Sells for Record $5.3 Million, Becomes Most Expensive Space Rock Ever
A massive Martian meteorite has sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby’s, setting a new record as the most expensive meteorite ever sold on Earth.
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The largest known fragment of Mars ever discovered on Earth, a gigantic Martian meteorite, sold for an astounding $5.3 million at a Sotheby's auction, setting off a chain reaction in the scientific and collector communities.
According to the renowned auction house, the unique rock, which was shot off Mars millions of years ago and crashed on Earth, is currently the most costly meteorite ever sold.
The World's Largest Martian Meteorite
Known as a shergottite, the space rock weighs over thirty pounds (14 kilogrammes) and is thought to have been expelled from Mars during a catastrophic impact event prior to its interplanetary trip. Its Martian provenance was verified by isotopic research after it was found in the Sahara Desert, a noted hotspot for meteorite searchers.
The meteorite was on display at Sotheby's New York on July 8 and was put under the hammer a few days later. The successful bidder has decided not to reveal their identity.
A Seldom Seen View of Mars
There are less than 350 verified Martian meteorites on Earth, making them incredibly uncommon. These rocks are extremely useful to science because they provide information on the atmosphere, volcanic history, and perhaps the possibility of ancient life on the Red Planet.
The meteorite's remarkable size, immaculate condition, and confirmed Martian provenance, however, make it equally desirable to collectors as it is to scientists.
"The ultimate prize for collectors is owning a piece of another planet," a Sotheby's representative stated following the historic auction.
"This specimen is a true marvel — a geological relic that predates human history by billions of years."
The Industry of Meteorite Is Growing
This sale shows that rare space stones are getting more and more popular around the world. Meteorite collecting has grown in popularity among both private and institutional collectors, and prices for meteorite specimens from the Moon, Mars, and even the asteroid belt have recently skyrocketed.
The $5.3 million price tag of the Martian meteorite shattered all previous records, making it a historic event in the highly competitive but specialised sector of space relics.
