A Collector's Guide To Meteorites | Science And Popular Culture

F or most of us, the opportunity to explore outer space first-hand is simply out of our orbits. Fortunately, for those thirsting for more space, there are meteorites: extraterrestrial rocks primarily from the asteroid belt along with rare samples from the Moon and Mars.

Past Auction Meteorites — Select Specimens from the Moon, Mars, Vesta and More 20–27 July 2022 | 10:00 AM EDT | New York

Meteorites are not the same as meteors — the zippers of light in a night sky we make wishes upon — which burn up in the atmosphere. Meteorites originate from fireballs that appear just how the term sounds; the arrival of a meteorite is a memorable phenomenon most often accompanied by sonic booms and at times destructive pressure waves.

Meteorites are extraordinarily rare. The total weight of every single known meteorite is less than the world’s annual output of gold. And specimens of the Moon and Mars are among the greatest of rarities on our planet — as every bit of both would fit in the cargo hold of a large SUV. Specimens of these planetary bodies arrive on Earth as meteorites as a result of asteroid impacts having blasted lunar and Martian surface material into space — some of which entered Earth-crossing orbits.

135 Type: lot Category: Lot Notable Offering Of The Moon — The End Piece Of Tisserlitine 001 — The Second Largest Piece Of The Moon On Earth Notable Offering Of The Moon — The End Piece Of Tisserlitine 001 — The Second Largest Piece Of The Moon On Earth Estimate: 400,000 – 500,000 USD Meteorites — Select Specimens from the Moon, Mars, Vesta and More 20–27 July 2022 | 10:00 AM EDT | New York View Lot 110 Type: lot Category: Lot From The Planet Mars, NWA 14269 — Interior And Exterior Of Martian Meteorite Revealed From The Planet Mars, NWA 14269 — Interior And Exterior Of Martian Meteorite Revealed Estimate: 12,000 – 16,000 USD Meteorites — Select Specimens from the Moon, Mars, Vesta and More 20–27 July 2022 | 10:00 AM EDT | New York View Lot

Most meteorites are older than our home planet and not only provide a record of the birth of the solar system but possibly the genesis of life, as many meteorites contain amino acids and tens of thousands of other organic compounds. Select meteorites contain the oldest matter mankind can touch. More than a thousand cosmochemists throughout the world devote their lives to the study of meteorites — which have also become an increasingly hot collectible given an ever-increasing demand and limited supply.

While you may wish to have a single aesthetic meteorite in your home or office, or desire to build a collection, where do you start? We’ve assembled a guide to assist you; whether your interest is in slices which reveal the interior of a meteorite or complete specimens, be prepared to be enthralled.

123 Type: lot Category: Lot Complete Slice Of the Imilac Main Mass With Gems From Outer Space Complete Slice Of the Imilac Main Mass With Gems From Outer Space Estimate: 70,000 – 100,000 USD Meteorites — Select Specimens from the Moon, Mars, Vesta and More 20–27 July 2022 | 10:00 AM EDT | New York View Lot 104 Type: lot Category: Lot Extraterrestrial Crystal Ball — Crystalline Structure Of Seymchan Pallasite Dramatized In Sphere Extraterrestrial Crystal Ball — Crystalline Structure Of Seymchan Pallasite Dramatized In Sphere Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000 USD Meteorites — Select Specimens from the Moon, Mars, Vesta and More 20–27 July 2022 | 10:00 AM EDT | New York View Lot