Rare 5 kg moon rock auctioned for over $ 600K
The rock journeyed the quarter- million miles to earth against all odds and survived a fiery descent through the atmosphere
Boston: An extremely rare lunar meteorite — comprised of six fragments that fit together like a puzzle — has been sold for $ 612,500, according to US- based RR Auction.
The meteorite is classified as NWA 11789, lunar feldspathic breccia, unofficially known as ‘ Buaga- ba’ or ‘ The Moon Puzzle.’
Discovered last year, it was blasted off the surface of the Moon in the distant past, likely by the impact of a different me- steorite. It then journeyed the quarter- million miles to Earth and — against all odds — survived a fiery descent through the atm- osphere to be found in the deserts of Northwest Africa.
It is comprised of six fragments that fit together, puzzlelike, to form a mass weighing very nearly 5.5 kg. With partial fus- ion crust visible on one side, it is a brand new classification and the lar- gest known, complete lunar puzzle.
According to RR Auction, it is one of the most important meteorites available for acquisition anywhere in the world today and, perhaps, the most significant exa- mple of our nearest celestial neighbour ever offe- red for sale in the history of meteorite science.
“The winning bid came from a representative working with the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex, located in Ha Nam Province, Viet- nam,” representatives at RR Auction said in a statement. “We are extremely happy and thrilled that this magnificent lunar meteorite will be proudly displayed at this beautiful facility — and this “Moon Puzzle” will certainly in- spire students of science for generations to come,” they said.