Niger is investigating the sale of the largest meteorite from Mars

• Niger has begun an investigation into the sale of the meteorite NWA 16788.
• The meteorite fetched over 5 million dollars at auction.
• A ban on the export of meteorites has been introduced to ensure their traceability.

Niger is conducting an investigation related to the sale of the largest meteorite from Mars, which weighs 54 pounds (25 kilograms) and was sold for over 5 million dollars at an auction in New York last month. This meteorite, named NWA 16788, was discovered in the Sahara Desert in the fall of 2023. The Niger government suspects that the meteorite may have been illegally exported from the country.

At the Sotheby's auction, it was reported that the meteorite was extracted from the surface of Mars as a result of an asteroid impact and weighed 140 million milligrams (225 million grams), the first to be portrayed on Earth. After its discovery, the meteorite was sold to an international dealer, with the agreement to be displayed in a private gallery in Italy.

In response to the sale, the Niger government has launched an investigation to clarify the conditions of the discovery and sale of the meteorite, indicating potential illegal international trade. The President of Niger, Abdurahman Tiani, has already banned the export of "precious and semi-precious stones and meteorites" throughout the country to ensure their traceability.

Meteorites fall under international agreements on cultural artifacts, but there remains uncertainty regarding their status. Experts believe that Niger needs to prove that the meteorite was stolen, as illegal exports do not constitute its illegal status in the USA.

Tags: Technology/Space