Latest news with #GeekWeek2025
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Sotheby's to auction largest Mars rock ever found on Earth in New York; here's how it came to our planet
A rare Martian meteorite and a juvenile dinosaur skeleton are among the star attractions at Sotheby's highly anticipated Geek Week 2025 auction in New York. This extraordinary event features 122 exclusive items from natural history, spanning outer space to prehistoric Earth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Martian meteorite, weighing 54 pounds (25 kg), is the largest of its kind ever discovered on Earth and is estimated to fetch up to $4 million. Meanwhile, the nearly complete Ceratosaurus skeleton—over 6 feet tall—is expected to sell for as much as $6 million. Both items represent monumental finds in planetary science and paleontology, making them irresistible to collectors, researchers, and science enthusiasts. Largest piece of Mars rock ever found heads to auction in New York Sotheby's will auction the Martian meteorite known as NWA 16788, a 54-pound extraterrestrial rock that is 70% larger than any previously discovered Martian sample on Earth. Valued between $2 million and $4 million, the meteorite could become a prized possession in the world of scientific collectibles. A 54.388-pound (24.67 kg) Martian meteorite—believed to be the largest known fragment of Mars on Earth iis on display at Sotheby's in New York ahead of its auction on July 16, 2025, as part of the Geek Week event. The rare specimen is estimated to fetch between $2 million and $4 million. Source: Sotheyby's How did the largest Martian rock arrive on Earth? According to Sotheby's, the meteorite originated from Mars after a powerful asteroid impact ejected it into space. The rock then traveled roughly 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) before crash-landing in the Sahara Desert. It was recovered by a meteorite hunter in Niger in November 2023. Measuring approximately 15 x 11 x 6 inches, it accounts for nearly 7% of all Martian material currently on Earth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now To confirm its authenticity, scientists extracted a small portion of the rock for laboratory analysis. The results revealed that it is an olivine-microgabbroic shergottite, a type of Martian volcanic rock that cools slowly. The meteorite contains minerals such as pyroxene and olivine and exhibits surface melting patterns typical of fiery entry into Earth's atmosphere. Its chemical fingerprint matched that of Martian meteorites first identified by NASA's Viking missions in 1976. Dinosaur skeleton from the Jurassic period also in auction Another highlight of Geek Week 2025 is the auction of a juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton, standing over 6 feet tall and stretching nearly 11 feet in length. Discovered in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, at Bone Cabin Quarry, the specimen was mounted using 140 fossilized bones and sculpted reconstructions. Its estimated value ranges from $4 million to $6 million. The Ceratosaurus was a bipedal predator from the Jurassic era, similar in appearance to the Tyrannosaurus rex but notably smaller. Its distinct features include short arms, sharp teeth, and a prominent nasal horn. Source: Sotheyby's Both the meteorite and dinosaur fossil are part of a broader 122-lot auction that includes rare meteorites, fossils, and gem-quality minerals. The Martian rock was previously on display at the Italian Space Agency in Rome, while the dinosaur skeleton was prepared by Fossilogic, a Utah-based fossil restoration firm. Geek Week 2025 offers a unique opportunity for collectors, institutions, and enthusiasts to own a piece of planetary and prehistoric history. Largest Martian rock in auction in New York FAQs What is the Martian meteorite being auctioned called? It is known as NWA 16788, the largest known Martian meteorite on Earth. How much does the meteorite weigh? The meteorite weighs 54.388 pounds (24.67 kilograms). What is the estimated auction price? It is expected to sell for $2 million to $4 million. Where and when is the auction taking place? The auction will be held at Sotheby's in New York on July 16, 2025, during Geek Week. How was its Martian origin confirmed? Scientists analyzed its chemical composition, which matches rocks identified during NASA's Viking mission on Mars. Also Read |
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Sotheby's Auction: Biggest Martian rock on Earth goes on sale. Here's how it came to Earth
A large Martian meteorite and a juvenile dinosaur skeleton are among rare natural history items heading to auction at Sotheby's in New York during Geek Week 2025. The event includes 122 unique pieces. Biggest Martian Rock on Earth Heads to Auction Sotheby's will auction the Martian meteorite known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday. It weighs 54 pounds (25 kilograms) and is the largest piece of Mars ever discovered on Earth. The estimated price is between $2 million and $4 million. The rock is 70% larger than any other Martian meteorite found before. How was Martian rock Brought to Earth? This Martian rock came to Earth after an asteroid struck Mars. The meteorite traveled 140 million miles (225 million kilometers) before landing in the Sahara Desert. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, according to Sotheby's. The rock's size is significant. It represents almost 7% of all known Martian material on Earth. It measures about 15 by 11 by 6 inches (375 by 279 by 152 millimeters). Also Read: Virgin River Season 7: Is release date confirmed? See what to expect, cast, new characters, key storylines and season 8 update Live Events How Scientists Confirmed Martian Origin? Experts removed a small piece of the meteorite and sent it to a lab for analysis. The lab confirmed the rock came from Mars. Scientists compared its chemical makeup to Martian meteorites identified during NASA's Viking mission in 1976. The analysis identified the rock as an olivine-microgabbroic shergottite. This type of rock forms when Martian magma cools slowly. It includes pyroxene and olivine minerals. The surface also shows signs of melting from Earth's atmosphere, suggesting it burned during entry. Dinosaur Skeleton from Jurassic Era Also on Sale A juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton will also be auctioned at Geek Week 2025. It stands over 6 feet (2 meters) tall and measures nearly 11 feet (3 meters) long. The estimate for this fossil is between $4 million and $6 million. The dinosaur skeleton was found in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, at Bone Cabin Quarry. Experts used 140 fossil bones and sculpted materials to recreate the full skeleton. It is ready for display. Ceratosaurus dinosaurs were bipeds with short arms and are similar in appearance to the Tyrannosaurus rex, though smaller. This species lived around 150 million years ago. Also Read: 3I/ATLAS: Alien spacecraft speeds toward Earth at 135,000 mph, claims scientist. See if its a threat Part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025 The meteorite and dinosaur are featured in a 122-item auction. Sotheby's Geek Week includes meteorites, fossils, and gem-quality minerals. The meteorite was previously displayed at the Italian Space Agency in Rome. The owner has not been named. Sotheby's says the rock likely landed on Earth in recent years, based on testing. The dinosaur skeleton was acquired by Fossilogic, a fossil mounting firm based in Utah. The auction offers collectors and researchers rare natural history items. FAQs What is the estimated price of the Martian meteorite at Sotheby's auction? The Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, is expected to sell for between $2 million and $4 million. How was the Ceratosaurus skeleton prepared for auction? Experts used 140 fossil bones and sculpted parts to mount and prepare the juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton for display.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
The biggest piece of Mars ever found on Earth is about to hit the auction block
Synopsis A massive Martian meteorite is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's in New York. The meteorite, named NWA 16788, weighs 54 pounds. It is considered the largest fragment of Mars found on Earth. The auction also features a Ceratosaurus skeleton. The Geek Week 2025 auction includes meteorites, fossils, and minerals. The Martian rock is estimated to fetch millions. Reuters The meteorite NWA 16788, the largest known piece of Mars on Earth, is displayed during the press preview of Sotheby's Natural History auction in New York City, U.S., July 8, 2025. The biggest Martian meteorite ever discovered on Earth is going under the hammer this Wednesday at Sotheby's in New York, with an estimated price tag between $2 million and $4 million, according to the Associated 54-pound (25-kilogram) meteorite, officially named NWA 16788, is the highlight of Sotheby's natural history-themed sale, part of its annual Geek Week 2025 series. According to the auction house, it's not just the size that makes it exceptional, it's also believed to be the largest known fragment of Mars ever found on our planet, measuring nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches. 'This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot,' said Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby's. 'So it's more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.'Hatton explained that the rock likely originated from a massive asteroid impact that blasted it off Mars' surface. It then travelled 140 million miles through space before crashing into the Sahara desert. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November its red, brown, and grey hues, the meteorite is 70% larger than the next biggest Martian sample found on Earth and accounts for nearly 7% of all verified Martian material known to exist here, Sotheby's said. Out of more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites discovered globally, only 400 are known to have come from Mars. To confirm its origin, a fragment was removed and analysed in a specialist lab. Scientists matched its chemical makeup to known Martian meteorites, originally identified using data from NASA's Viking lander mission in 1976. The sample was classified as an olivine-microgabbroic shergottite, a rock formed by the slow cooling of Martian magma. It features a coarse texture and contains pyroxene and olivine rock's glassy outer surface hints at the intense heat it endured while plummeting through Earth's atmosphere. 'So that was their first clue that this wasn't just some big rock on the ground,' Hatton displayed at the Italian Space Agency in Rome, the meteorite's current owner has not been revealed. Sotheby's noted that while the exact timing of its fall to Earth is unknown, recent testing suggests the impact was relatively Martian rock will be auctioned alongside another attention-grabbing specimen: a juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton, standing over 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long. Discovered in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, the skeleton was reconstructed from nearly 140 original bones and additional sculpted parts. Dating back around 150 million years to the late Jurassic period, its auction estimate ranges from $4 million to $6 was a bipedal predator with short arms, somewhat resembling a smaller version of the Tyrannosaurus rex. While a typical Ceratosaurus could grow up to 25 feet, the T. rex could reach up to 40 feet in skeleton was acquired last year by Fossilogic, a fossil preparation and mounting company based in Geek Week 2025 auction includes a total of 122 lots, featuring other meteorites, fossils, and rare minerals. With inputs from AP
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
New York to auction largest known piece of Mars on Earth
At first glance, it might seem like just a hefty chunk of rock. But this 54-pound specimen is unlike anything else on Earth, because it's not from Earth at all! It's the largest known piece of Mars ever discovered here, and it's heading under an auction at Sotheby's in New York. Named NWA 16788, this meteorite is believed to have been blasted off Mars by a colossal asteroid impact, hurtled 140 million miles through space, and finally landed in the Sahara Desert. It was discovered by a meteorite hunter in Niger in November 2023, reported AP citing Sotheby's. 'This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot,' said Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby's. 'So it's more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.' Measuring nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches, this red, brown, and grey chunk is around 70% larger than the second-biggest known Martian meteorite. It alone accounts for nearly 7% of all Martian material ever found on Earth. Sotheby's notes, as per AP, that there are only about 400 confirmed Martian meteorites among the 77,000+ meteorites officially recognised on Earth. To confirm its extraterrestrial origin, a small piece was sent to a specialist lab and compared with the chemical fingerprint established by NASA's Viking probe, which landed on Mars in 1976. The results were conclusive: the rock is an olivine-microgabbroic shergottite, a slowly cooled Martian magma type filled with pyroxene and olivine crystals. Its glassy surface hints at the fiery entry it endured while hurtling through Earth's atmosphere. Expected to fetch between $2 million and $4 million, this meteorite leads a collection of 122 items in Sotheby's Geek Week 2025 natural history-themed sale. The lot also includes a juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton, a dinosaur measuring over 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long. As for the Mars rock, its journey may have spanned millions of years and millions of miles, but its final stop may be a collector's cabinet, unless a museum or research institution steps wins the bid. (With inputs from AP)
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Science
- The Advertiser
The biggest piece of Mars on earth is up for auction
For sale: A 25 kilogram rock. Estimated auction price: $3-$6 million. Why so expensive? It's the largest piece of Mars ever found on earth. Sotheby's in New York will be auctioning what's known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale. According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown off the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before travelling 225 million kilometres to earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby's says. The red, brown and grey hunk is about 70 per cent larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on earth and represents nearly seven per cent of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby's says. It measures nearly 38cm by 28cm by 15cm. "This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot," Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby's said. "So it's more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars." It is also a rare find. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites found on earth, Sotheby's says. Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialised lab that confirmed it was from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said. It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through earth's atmosphere, Hatton said. "So that was their first clue that this wasn't just some big rock on the ground," she said. It's not clear exactly when the meteorite hit earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby's said. The auction is part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals. For sale: A 25 kilogram rock. Estimated auction price: $3-$6 million. Why so expensive? It's the largest piece of Mars ever found on earth. Sotheby's in New York will be auctioning what's known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale. According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown off the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before travelling 225 million kilometres to earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby's says. The red, brown and grey hunk is about 70 per cent larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on earth and represents nearly seven per cent of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby's says. It measures nearly 38cm by 28cm by 15cm. "This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot," Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby's said. "So it's more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars." It is also a rare find. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites found on earth, Sotheby's says. Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialised lab that confirmed it was from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said. It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through earth's atmosphere, Hatton said. "So that was their first clue that this wasn't just some big rock on the ground," she said. It's not clear exactly when the meteorite hit earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby's said. The auction is part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals. For sale: A 25 kilogram rock. Estimated auction price: $3-$6 million. Why so expensive? It's the largest piece of Mars ever found on earth. Sotheby's in New York will be auctioning what's known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale. According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown off the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before travelling 225 million kilometres to earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby's says. The red, brown and grey hunk is about 70 per cent larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on earth and represents nearly seven per cent of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby's says. It measures nearly 38cm by 28cm by 15cm. "This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot," Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby's said. "So it's more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars." It is also a rare find. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites found on earth, Sotheby's says. Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialised lab that confirmed it was from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said. It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through earth's atmosphere, Hatton said. "So that was their first clue that this wasn't just some big rock on the ground," she said. It's not clear exactly when the meteorite hit earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby's said. The auction is part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals. For sale: A 25 kilogram rock. Estimated auction price: $3-$6 million. Why so expensive? It's the largest piece of Mars ever found on earth. Sotheby's in New York will be auctioning what's known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale. According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown off the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before travelling 225 million kilometres to earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby's says. The red, brown and grey hunk is about 70 per cent larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on earth and represents nearly seven per cent of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby's says. It measures nearly 38cm by 28cm by 15cm. "This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot," Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby's said. "So it's more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars." It is also a rare find. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 officially recognised meteorites found on earth, Sotheby's says. Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialised lab that confirmed it was from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said. It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through earth's atmosphere, Hatton said. "So that was their first clue that this wasn't just some big rock on the ground," she said. It's not clear exactly when the meteorite hit earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby's said. The auction is part of Sotheby's Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals.
