The largest Martian meteorite found on Earth will be auctioned: it represents 6% of the Martian material.

The largest meteorite from Mars ever found on Earth will be auctioned for the first time on July 16 at Sotheby's in New York.

The initial sale estimate is between $2 million and $4 million, which would make it the most valuable Martian meteorite ever sold at auction.

The piece will be on public display from July 8 to 15 as part of the renowned firm's annual Natural History auction.

The meteorite, officially cataloged as "NWA 16788," was discovered in November 2023 in the Agadez region of Niger by a meteorite hunter.

Weighing 24.67 kilograms, it is approximately 70% larger than any other known Martian fragment. Its reddish color and large size make it a unique object for both science and collectors.

According to compositional analysis, NWA 16788 was ejected from the surface of Mars as a result of the impact of a powerful asteroid.

The energy released was so intense that it transformed some of its minerals into glass, a process characteristic of meteorites subjected to high pressures and temperatures. Areas of glassy fusion crust can be seen on its surface, indicating its violent entry into the Earth's atmosphere before landing in the Sahara Desert.

Sotheby's emphasizes the scientific value of NWA 16788, offering a tangible example of Martian geology. Meteorites of this type allow researchers to directly study the composition and evolution of the Red Planet, complementing data obtained by space probes and robots.

The rarity of these objects adds value to their auction. Of the more than 77,000 meteorites officially cataloged on Earth, only 400 are of Martian origin.

Together, these fragments weigh approximately 374 kilograms, making NWA 16788 the holder of 6.59% of all known Martian material.

Meteorite collection remains a challenge, even for experts. In North America, an average of only 15 finds are recorded each year, mostly in desert areas. Most Martian meteorites occur in small fragments, which increases the value of complete specimens like NWA 16788.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from EFE, and reviewed by the journalist and an editor.