Biggest chunk of Mars on Earth sells for $5.3M at auction, cheaper than NASA's sample return mission

The largest chunk of Mars yet discovered on Earth, a 54-pound (25kg) chunk of the Red Planet, has been purchased at auction for $5.3 million by an unknown bidder. The meteorite, dubbed NWA 16788, was discovered in the Sahara Desert on July 16, 2023, and is thought to have been blasted off the Martian surface by an impact from …

[Neil Barnes]

The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one, he said

But still, they come!

[Winkypop]

Where's the kaboom?

There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!

[Torben Mogensen]

Elon Musk?

The bit about "Elon Musk's favourite planet" may be an oblique way of saying that he is the likely buyer. Which is probable, as he is obsessed with Mars, and $5.3 million is pocket change for him.

[Brewster's Angle Grinder]

Re: Elon Musk?

If he was serious about going there, he'd want to get his hands on it and not have it locked away in Jeff Bezos' vault.

[Annihilator]

Re: Elon Musk?

I doubt it, as I imagine he'd be wearing it like a hat already.

You'd hope that his favourite planet would be Earth, but who knows.

[Andrew Scott]

has the silly season started?

[Anonymous Coward]

NWA?

Nugget With Attitude? Ain't sticking round in no dried out sh*thole!