The real value of the stone found in the desert emerged later! It was determined that it came from the Moon.

A meteorite discovered in 2017 in the Mauritanian desert in northwest Africa fetched a buyer at auction for $615,000. The 5.49‑kilogram fragment, which at first glance looked like an ordinary stone, was determined to be lunar in origin. The rare meteorite, composed of six pieces, is being prepared for public display in Vietnam.

Sold for $615,000

The lunar meteorite catalogued as NWA 11789 in scientific records was sold to collector Dustin Dickens at an auction organized by Boston‑based RR Auction.

Scientific examinations determined that the stone is composed of lunar rather than terrestrial rock.

The meteorite fetched $612,500 at auction, but with auction fees the total sale price rose to about $615,000.

Composed of Six Pieces: 'Lunar Puzzle'

The meteorite identified as NWA 11789 in the Meteoritical Bulletin records has a total mass of 5.49 kilograms.

A rare collection of six separate pieces that fit together like puzzle pieces is called 'The Moon Puzzle' (Ay Bulmacası) because of this feature.

The meteorite's fragments consist of rocks that broke off from the Moon, were flung into space, and later reached Earth. Their rarity and complementary nature increase the collection's scientific and commercial value.

Will be displayed in Vietnam.

One of the meteorite samples set aside for scientific study is kept under protection at the University of New Mexico.

The main pieces are planned to be displayed to the public at the Tam Chuc Pagoda Complex in Vietnam.

Thus, the Moon-origin meteorite discovered in the Moritanya desert and sold at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars will offer visitors the opportunity to see a rare rock from outside Earth up close.