Desk Report,
Largest meteorite from Mars up for auction
People’s interest in the red planet Mars is endless. And so, this time, the US-based auction house Sotheby’s is starting the auction of the largest meteorite to come to Earth from Mars. The company said that this meteorite named NWA-16788 is the largest meteorite to come to Earth from Mars. The huge meteorite weighs 24.67 kilograms. The meteorite will be auctioned in New York, USA on July 16. According to scientists, a person found the meteorite in the Agadez region of Niger, Africa, in November 2023. This region of Niger is known for its dinosaur fossils. After collection, the meteorite sample was sent to the Shanghai Astronomical Museum. Later, scientists confirmed that the meteorite came to Earth from Mars. There has been a lot of excitement about the meteorite before the auction started. And so, auction house Sotheby’s expects the meteorite to fetch up to 4 million US dollars or 488 million taka (based on the exchange rate of 122 taka per dollar).
Largest meteorite from Mars up for auction
According to Sotheby’s, the meteorite from Mars is basically a reddish-brown rock. The meteorite has a groove formed as a result of frictional heat during its entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Even after falling in the Sahara Desert, the physical and chemical composition of the rock has not changed much.
Many are also criticizing the organization of the meteorite auction. In this regard, Steve Brusset, professor of paleontology and evolution at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, said, “If the meteorite is kept in the vault of an elite person, it will disappear. It would be a shame. If it is kept in a museum, research can be done.
People’s interest in the red planet Mars is endless. And so, this time, the US-based auction house Sotheby’s is starting the auction of the largest meteorite to come to Earth from Mars. The company said that this meteorite named NWA-16788 is the largest meteorite to come to Earth from Mars. The huge meteorite weighs 24.67 kilograms. The meteorite will be auctioned in New York, USA on July 16. According to scientists, a person found the meteorite in the Agadez region of Niger, Africa, in November 2023. This region of Niger is known for its dinosaur fossils. After collection, the meteorite sample was sent to the Shanghai Astronomical Museum. Later, scientists confirmed that the meteorite came to Earth from Mars. There has been a lot of excitement about the meteorite before the auction started. And so, auction house Sotheby’s expects the meteorite to fetch up to 4 million US dollars or 488 million taka (based on the exchange rate of 122 taka per dollar).
According to Sotheby’s, the meteorite from Mars is basically a reddish-brown rock. The meteorite has a groove formed as a result of frictional heat during its entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Even after falling in the Sahara Desert, the physical and chemical composition of the rock has not changed much.
Many are also criticizing the organization of the meteorite auction. In this regard, Steve Brusset, professor of paleontology and evolution at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, said, “If the meteorite is kept in the vault of an elite person, it will disappear. It would be a shame. If it is kept in a museum, research can be done.
