Overview
- The 24.67-kilogram NWA-16788 is the largest individual Martian meteorite ever recovered on Earth.
- It is on public display at Sotheby’s New York through July 15 ahead of its auction on July 16.
- Sotheby’s is accepting bids in US dollars, Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDC for the specimen.
- Scientific authentication by the Shanghai Astronomy Museum and the Meteoritical Society confirms its Martian origin and composition of pyroxene, maskelynite and olivine.
- Researchers remain divided on whether a private sale will restrict access for study or still yield valuable scientific insight.