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Martian meteorite sale probed - 1st September 2025

The sale of a Martian meteorite is being scrutinised by authorities in Niger, after the object was discovered in the country. The lump of rock, named NWA 16788, subsequently went under the hammer in New York for a staggering $5.3 million.

Meteorites are the remains of a comet, asteroid or meteoroid as it travels through the Earth's atmosphere. Until now, the vast majority have been tiny fragments, while NWA 16788 comes in at an immense 24.5 kg. Sotheby's auction house, which presided over the final sale, declared it to be the heaviest ever recorded.

Despite the fact that the extra-terrestrial objects can randomly strike land, a prime location for their discovery is the Sahara desert, where the climate favours their preservation and there's minimal human disturbance.

NWA 16788 came to light in Niger's Agadez region, detected by a meteorite hunter. An Italian academic article suggests that the rock was snapped up by the proprietor of a prominent Italian gallery.

Nigerien authorities assert this was when issues emerged. Founder of the organisation Niger Heritage, Professor Sereno, stated in a BBC interview that "International law says you cannot simply take something that is important to the heritage of the country – be it a cultural item, a physical item, a natural item or an extra-terrestrial item."

After having been briefly displayed in Italy, it was dispatched to Southeby's in New York, bar two slices that were retained for scientific investigation. While both the vendor and the purchaser remain anonymous, the auction house maintains that "all relevant documentation was in order at each stage of its journey."

Even though laws were enacted in 1997 in Niger to secure its heritage, legislation pertaining to meteorites is lacking. Nevertheless, the Niger government has "expressed doubts about the legality of its export, raising concerns about possible illicit international trafficking".

An article in the periodical Heritage claims the bulk of these rocky chunks are in the custody of individuals, namely investors and enthusiasts. It highlights that "Striking a balance between accessibility for scientific research, public education and private collecting remains a central challenge for policy makers and the scientific community."