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– The lunar meteorite, known as NWA 12691, fell to earth in a meteor shower and was found two years ago in the Sahara desert
– Christie’s, a British auction house, said the rock was likely brought down from the moon’s surface by a collision with an asteroid or comet.
– The rock was the fifth largest piece of the moon on earth and anyone with money could buy it right away.
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A 13.5-kilogram piece of the moon that fell to earth is for sale for R43 million.
The lunar meteorite, known as NWA 12691, fell to earth in a meteor shower and was found two years ago in the Sahara desert.
The NWA 12691 meteorite was found in the Sahara desert and weighs 13.5 kg, it is valued at more than R 43 million. Photo: Christie’s.
Source: UGC
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According to a CNN report, the rock was the fifth-largest piece of the moon on earth and anyone with money could buy it right away.
“There aren’t even a handful of larger lunar meteorites: this is the fifth largest known. Nothing brought by the Apollo Missions is that big.”
“It really is an incredible opportunity to acquire a world-class specimen of the moon,” said James Hyslop, Head of Science and Natural History at Christie’s.
A file photo of an asteroid entering Earth. Photo: Getty images.
Source: Getty Images
Christie’s said the rock was likely brought down from the moon’s surface by a collision with an asteroid or comet and that it had to travel at least 239,000 miles through space before falling to earth in a fiery meteor shower.
About 30 rain meteorites were found in northwest Africa, and Christie’s was also offering for sale privately a group of 13 aesthetic iron meteorites.
Hyslop said he was fortunate to have to handle some lunar meteorites at Christie’s over the years.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to handle some lunar meteorites at Christie’s over the years, but every time I see this specimen in the warehouse, its large size leaves me speechless. Weighing in at over 13.5kg, it’s much bigger than anything else that has been offered before. The experience of having a piece of another world in your hands is something you will never forget. “
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