Home / Science / Rare Martian Meteorite Sold for Millions, Sparking Controversy in Niger
Rare Martian Meteorite Sold for Millions, Sparking Controversy in Niger
14 Aug
Summary
- Largest Martian meteorite ever found, weighing 54 lbs, sold for $5.3M
- Niger investigating legality of meteorite's export, calls it "illicit trafficking"
- Meteorite discovered in 2023, but ownership laws in Niger unclear
In a surprising turn of events, a rare Martian meteorite has captured global attention after fetching millions at a recent Sotheby's auction. The space rock, known as NWA 16788, was discovered in November 2023 in the remote Agadez region of Niger, West Africa. Weighing a staggering 54 pounds, it is the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth.
The meteorite's sale for $5.3 million, including taxes and fees, to an anonymous bidder has now prompted the Nigerien government to launch a formal investigation. Describing the situation as "comparable to illicit international trafficking," the country's ministries of mines, security, higher education, and justice are working to uncover the details behind the meteorite's discovery and export.
Unlike neighboring Morocco, Niger currently lacks specific legislation regarding the ownership and trade of meteorites. This legal gray area has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the NWA 16788's sale. Sotheby's, however, maintains that the meteorite was exported in line with all relevant international procedures, with the necessary documentation in order.
The discourse surrounding this rare Martian specimen sheds light on the complex and often murky issue of who owns space rocks that fall to Earth. While natural history museums house most known Martian meteorite samples, private collectors and investors hold the majority of the significant masses, posing a challenge for policymakers and the scientific community to strike a balance between accessibility for research and public education, and private ownership.
