Rock that fell on Earth from Mars sells for $5.3 million in Sotheby's auction
Scientists confirmed not only its Martian origin but also its record-breaking size. (Photo: Reuters)
advertisementFrom Martian Surface to Sahara Sands
Discovered in November 2023 by a seasoned meteorite hunter in Niger's remote Agadez region of the Sahara Desert, NWA 16788's journey to Earth is nothing short of extraordinary.Experts say that about five million years ago, a powerful asteroid or comet impact blasted it off the Martian crust, sending it on a 140-million-mile odyssey through space before it plummeted to Earth.'It's incredible that it made it through and crashed in the desert, where someone who could recognize its significance found it,' said Cassandra Hatton, Sotheby's vice-chairman and global head of science and natural history, ahead of the sale. She noted that most such space debris burns up in the planet's atmosphere or falls into the ocean, making this find even more remarkable.Once tested in specialised labs, scientists confirmed not only its Martian origin but also its record-breaking size: about 70% larger than the next-biggest Martian fragment on Earth.With only around 400 officially recognised Martian meteorites found worldwide, NWA 16788 stands out for its sheer mass, vibrant reddish hue, and fusion crust—a telltale sign of its fiery atmospheric descent.'This is the largest piece of Mars on the planet,' Hatton emphasised. 'Its sheer size and remarkable journey make it a once-in-a-generation discovery.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
New Zealand Air Force battles freezing cold and darkness to rescue 3 from US Antarctic base
Synopsis New Zealand's Vayu Sena successfully rescued three individuals from an American research facility in Antarctica. The operation occurred on August 5 and 6, 2025. One person needed urgent medical attention. Two others also required medical assistance. The challenging mission involved flying in freezing temperatures and complete darkness. The rescued individuals arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Wednesday. Reuters Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel undertake a medical evacuation of three people from McMurdo Station in Antarctica, in this handout photo released on August 6, 2025. New Zealand Defence Force/Handout via REUTERS New Zealand's air force evacuated three people from a United States research base in Antarctica on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). The air force stated that it was a high-risk operation in freezing temperatures and perpetual darkness. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) said in a statement that one person requiring urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were taken on the rescue flight from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday (August 5, 2025). The aircraft landed in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday morning. However, the New Zealand Air Force, in its statement, provided no details of the medical emergency or Scott, a New Zealand Air Commodore, said the extreme cold and landing on a runway of ice in the dark make mid-winter flights to Antarctica one of the most challenging tasks an air crew can perform."(It is) an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and make accurate forecasting a challenge," he said, as quoted by at the McMurdo Station fell as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, hampering the 20-hour mission that took place in the complete darkness of the Antarctic winter. The U.S. Chargé d'Affaires for New Zealand, Melissa Sweeney, said the evacuation had been carried out "flawlessly." "We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class," she said.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
New COVID variant Stratus haunting US: What are the symptoms? Here's all you need to know
One COVID variant, 'Stratus', that has become increasingly popular in the United States during this summer and is being widely monitored by health professionals. The Stratus variant (XFG) of COVID-19 is now the third most common in the U.S., with a 14% share of cases. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi/File Photo(REUTERS) Known officially as XFG, the variant was first detected in Southeast Asia back in January. For months, it flew under the radar in the States, barely any reported cases. However, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailed XFG accounted for 14% of all U.S. cases by late June, making it the third most common variant in circulation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has added XFG to its monitoring list but describes the variant's global public health risk as 'low.' The good news: WHO says that current COVID-19 vaccines are still 'expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.' ALSO READ| New COVID variant bizarre symptoms: What treatments are available and how you can protect yourself What is Stratus (XFG) and how is it different? XFG is a recombinant strain, meaning it's a blend of two earlier variants: F.7 and LP.8.1.2 (the latter is now the second most common strain in the U.S.). So, what makes XFG different? Scientists say it may have mutations that help it dodge the immune system more easily. But that doesn't mean it spreads faster. 'There is currently no clear evidence that XFG causes more severe disease or significantly different symptoms than earlier Omicron variants,' Dr. Subhash Verma, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno. told USA Today. 'Importantly, there are no immediate public health concerns associated with this variant.' How fast is Stratus (XFG) spreading? While it hasn't overtaken the top two variants, XFG made up 0% of U.S. cases in March, climbed to 2% in April, 6% in May, and 14% by late June, according to the CDC. WHO reported a similar spike globally, from 7.4% of cases in early May to 22.7% by the end of June across 38 countries. ALSO READ| Moderna to cut 10% global staff as Covid vaccine sales keep falling What are the symptoms? The CDC continues to list common COVID symptoms such as: Fever or chills Cough Fatigue Sore throat Loss of taste or smell Congestion Muscle aches Shortness of breath Headache Nausea or vomiting
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 hours ago
- First Post
Covid-style measures, drones and more... Inside China's efforts to battle Chikungunya outbreak
A chikungunya outbreak in southern China has infected over 7,000 people, triggering aggressive mosquito-control measures and hospital isolations. Originating in Foshan, the virus has spread across Guangdong province read more A female mosquito is seen on the forearm of a health technician in a laboratory at the entomology department of the Ministry of Public Health in Guatemala City, February 4, 2016. Representational Image/Reuters Southern China is currently witnessing an unprecedented spike in chikungunya virus cases, with over 7,000 infections recorded in a matter of weeks. The outbreak — originating in Foshan, a populous city in Guangdong province — has prompted public health measures, including both conventional mosquito-control strategies and unconventional methods rarely seen outside research settings. China has not experienced a chikungunya outbreak of this scale since the virus was first detected in the country nearly 20 years ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Once a disease limited to sporadic imported cases, the chikungunya virus has now evolved into a pressing domestic health challenge. Though the virus is not directly transmissible from one person to another, the outbreak has escalated rapidly due to the region's environmental conditions, which are highly conducive to the proliferation of Aedes mosquitoes — the vector responsible for transmitting the disease. In Foshan alone, nearly 3,000 new cases were reported between July 27 and August 2, and infections have now appeared in several surrounding cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Zhongshan. What is Chikungunya? The chikungunya virus, first identified in 1952 in southern Tanzania, belongs to a family of viruses spread primarily through the bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These same mosquito species are known carriers of other viruses such as dengue and Zika. Following an infectious bite, symptoms typically appear between four and eight days later. Most patients present with sudden fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and rashes. However, what distinguishes chikungunya from other mosquito-borne illnesses is the intense and persistent joint pain, often severe enough to leave patients bent over or stooped, a posture that inspired the name of the disease. The word 'chikungunya' comes from the Kimakonde language spoken in parts of Tanzania and means 'that which bends up.' According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus typically resolves within two weeks, but in many cases, the associated joint pain can last for months — or even years — especially among the elderly and those with preexisting joint issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While serious complications are rare and fatalities are extremely uncommon, the disease can be particularly dangerous for infants, senior citizens, and those with weakened immune systems. Chikungunya is not transmitted between humans. However, infected individuals can pass the virus back to mosquitoes if bitten again, creating a cycle that perpetuates local transmission. A June study published in Nature estimated that about 35.3 million people contract chikungunya annually across 180 countries and territories, though only about 3,700 deaths are linked to the virus worldwide each year. How did the outbreak occur in China? The current surge in southern China began with what health authorities believe was an imported case in Foshan in early July. Though the original source has not been publicly detailed, China's CDC attributes the outbreak to international transmission. 'With the virus spreading globally, imported cases have inevitably reached China,' Liu Qiyong, chief expert in vector-borne disease control at China CDC, told CGTN. 'Given the established presence of local transmission vectors, particularly Aedes mosquitoes, these imported infections have fuelled sustained local transmission cycles, leading to concentrated, small-scale outbreaks in affected regions.' The outbreak was initially concentrated in Shunde District, home to nearly 9 million residents, but quickly spread to nearby urban centres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On August 4, Hong Kong — China's semi-autonomous international hub — reported its first imported case, a 12-year-old boy who had recently visited Foshan. The scale and speed of the outbreak have led the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a Level 2 travel alert for Foshan, advising travellers to take protective measures such as using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and avoiding outdoor exposure during peak mosquito activity times. Pregnant women are specifically advised not to travel to the affected region. How is China tackling the chikungunya outbreak? Faced with rising infections, authorities in Guangdong have introduced a stringent set of disease-control protocols, drawing heavily on the infrastructure and response mechanisms developed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Patients who test positive for chikungunya are being quarantined in mosquito-proof hospital beds until they test negative, a precautionary step aimed at stopping further mosquito-mediated transmission. The city of Foshan has expanded its mosquito-proof isolation bed capacity to more than 7,000, according to Xinhua, China's state-run media. Designated hospitals across the region are offering treatment, although there is no specific antiviral drug or cure for chikungunya — management largely consists of symptom relief and supportive care. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In affected neighbourhoods, local health workers are conducting door-to-door inspections, looking for stagnant water sources, which are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Residents are expected to comply, and failure to cooperate may result in fines or criminal penalties under public health laws. In one district in Guicheng, five households reportedly had their electricity cut off for obstructing inspection efforts, according to a neighbourhood committee notice cited by the New York Times. A government flyer translated by the same publication warned that obstructing vector-control measures could be prosecuted as a criminal offence under laws pertaining to the prevention of infectious diseases. Beyond traditional mosquito control efforts like spraying pesticides and using insecticides, authorities have also turned to more experimental and ecologically-based interventions. One such method involves releasing 'elephant mosquitoes' — a type of mosquito that does not bite humans but whose larvae prey on the larvae of disease-carrying Aedes mosquitoes. In some urban lakes and ponds, officials have introduced larvae-eating fish, hoping to reduce mosquito populations in standing water bodies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Drones have been deployed to identify mosquito breeding grounds in hard-to-access areas, and specialised teams have been dispatched to fog and disinfect entire neighbourhoods. These combined efforts aim to interrupt the mosquito life cycle at various stages — larvae, pupae, and adult — to reduce the probability of additional infections. Did climate change play a role? Southern China's humid subtropical climate, combined with high population density and global connectivity, makes it particularly vulnerable to imported mosquito-borne diseases. The increased volume of international travel — especially as countries reopened post-Covid — has elevated the risk of pathogens moving across borders. From 2010 to 2019, China recorded only sporadic imported cases of chikungunya, including localized clusters in Dongguan and Ruili. Unlike previous instances where the virus did not take hold in the domestic mosquito population, this time conditions seem to have favoured local transmission chains. The WHO has long warned of the expanding range of Aedes mosquitoes due to urbanisation and climate change. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift, mosquito habitats are spreading into previously low-risk areas, making outbreaks like the one in Foshan more likely. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why is chikungunya a global problem? Chikungunya is a recurring problem in many parts of the world. Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines are among the countries where the CDC has identified an elevated risk of transmission. In 2006, India experienced a significant outbreak, recording nearly 1.3 million suspected infections, especially in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Around the same time, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Thailand also reported thousands of cases. The US has also seen a growing number of travel-related chikungunya cases. Between 2006 and 2013, up to 28 cases were detected annually. In 2014, that number jumped to nearly 3,000. While the figures declined in subsequent years — reaching a low of 36 in 2021 — they have been gradually rising again, with 199 cases reported in 2024 and 46 recorded so far in 2025. Local transmission was last documented in 2019, and the CDC considers the risk of widespread outbreaks in the US to be low, though not negligible. As of May this year, La Réunion, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, has reported over 47,500 chikungunya cases, with sustained transmission across the island. What is the cure to chikungunya? Two vaccines against chikungunya are currently approved for use in the United States: IXCHIQ , a live-attenuated vaccine for individuals aged 18 and older. VIMKUNYA, a virus-like particle-based vaccine for people aged 12 and above. However, these vaccines are not yet available in China. The country's health authorities continue to highlight preventive strategies such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites and using physical barriers like mosquito nets, repellents, and protective clothing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While vaccination is advised for international travellers to outbreak-prone areas, including Foshan, it is not currently recommended for widespread use among the general population in China. The US CDC also advises that pregnant women postpone vaccination until after childbirth and consider postponing travel to high-risk regions altogether. With inputs from agencies
