25.10.2026 10:31
In the US, meteorite hunter Steve Arnold found a giant meteorite weighing 650 kilograms 2 meters below the ground on a farm. It was determined that the meteorite, which draws attention with the green crystals inside it and has been valued at up to $1 million, was exposed to cosmic rays for 156 million years. When the highest bid in the auction remained at $200,000, the meteorite was withdrawn from sale.
Meteorite hunter Steve Arnold in the US found a giant meteorite weighing 650 kilograms during a search on farmland. The meteorite, extracted from a depth of about 2 meters and valued at up to 1 million dollars, drew attention with the green crystals inside it. However, when the expected bid did not come at auction, it was withdrawn from sale.
In the Brenham area of Kansas, US, meteorite hunter Steve Arnold searched with a special metal detector on farmland owned by Allen Binford. During the work, a massive celestial body was detected about 2 meters below the ground.
Weighings determined that the meteorite extracted from the soil weighed 650 kilograms. The rare pallasite-type meteorite drew attention with its green olivine crystals and conical shape.
IT WAS EXPOSED TO COSMIC RAYS FOR 156 MILLION YEARS
Researchers calculated that a large meteorite that fell in the Brenham area in the past broke apart as it passed through the atmosphere and scattered more than 3 tons of meteorite material around.
It is believed that some pieces found in the area were transported via trade routes used by indigenous peoples as far as the Hopewell region, about 1,500 kilometers away.
In a scientific study published in 2002, it was revealed that this pallasite mass was exposed to cosmic rays in space for about 156 million years before entering Earth's atmosphere.
ITS VALUE REACHED UP TO 1 MILLION DOLLARS
During the process of finding and evaluating the meteorite, geologist and lawyer Philip Mani provided financial support while Steve Arnold carried out the search work. Landowner Allen Binford was also among the partners in the process.
The rare meteorite was valued at between 600,000 and 1 million dollars.
IT WAS WITHDRAWN FROM SALE WHEN A $200,000 OFFER CAME
The 650-kilogram meteorite was put up for auction at the world-famous Bonhams Auction House.
However, the highest bid for the meteorite, whose preliminary valuation was over 630,000 dollars, remained at 200,000 dollars. After a bid came in far below the expected price, the partners decided to withdraw the meteorite from sale.
Thus, the giant meteorite, thought to be able to reach a value of one million dollars, could not find a buyer at auction.