Science
Rare Lunar Meteorite To Be Put On Online Auction Next Week
The Moon rock, classified as NWA 11789, was found in a remote area of Mauritania last year
Almost everybody dreams of reaching the moon. Well, now a lucky person will have the opportunity to buy a lunar rock right here on Earth.
Boston-based RR Auction Company has put a meteorite that is one of the biggest pieces of the Moon ever for sale online. The lunar meteorite, weighing about 5.5kg (12lb), was discovered in a remote area of Mauritania in Northwest Africa last year. It is expected that the Moon rock, classified as NWA 11789, also known as Buagaba, would have probably plunged to Earth thousands of years ago.
The meteorite in question is one of the biggest pieces of the moon ever put up for sale as most lunar meteorites found are normally smaller in size, almost that of a walnut or golf ball. It is expected to fetch around $500,000 when it goes on auction.
According to Aerolite Meteorites, the company which is selling the rock, it is “one of the most important meteorites available for acquisition anywhere in the world today.”
It is composed of six fragments, the largest of which about 3kg. Experts have found that the meteorite displays “partial fusion crust”, which is a type of coating created by the heat that sears the rock as it goes through the atmosphere.
“As soon as we saw this, we knew it was extraordinarily unusual,” said Geoff Notkin, CEO of Aerolite Meteorites. “This is close to a once in a lifetime find.”
Another interesting thing that makes the meteorite more special is that it’s “unpaired.” Meteorites are classified as “paired” when different pieces of the same meteorite are discovered at different times. Collectors are more interested in adding an “unpaired” meteorite to their collection as it is more valuable to science.
The online auction is scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 18.
