Martian meteorite that is the largest known piece of Mars found on Earth has sold for $5.3 million at Sotheby's, setting a new auction record for a meteorite.

The largest piece of Mars on Earth has sold for $5.3m. Meteorite NWA 16788, offered by Sotheby’s New York on Wednesday, July 16, instantly set a new world record as the most valuable meteorite ever sold at auction.

The meteorite was discovered in Niger in November 2023 and is 70% larger than the next biggest piece of Mars recovered on Earth.