A record-breaking Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, weighing 54 pounds, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York with an estimated value of $2-$4 million. This remarkable find, the largest piece of Mars discovered on Earth, was likely ejected from the planet by an asteroid impact and traveled millions of miles before landing in the Sahara. The meteorite, identified as an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite,” is 70% larger than the next largest Martian piece and represents nearly 7% of all Martian material on Earth. Along with the meteorite, the auction also features a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton.
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Aix-Marseille University in France launched a program called “Safe Place for Science” to welcome U.S.-based scholars, comparing the situation to European academics fleeing Nazi Germany. The university president, Eric Berton, noted the irony of Americans seeking freedom in France due to research restrictions under the Trump administration. The program has already received nearly 300 applications from researchers, including those from prestigious institutions and NASA, with many seeking anonymity. This initiative aligns with broader efforts by the French government, including a $117 million investment and proposed legislation to support “science refugees.”
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Aix-Marseille University’s “Safe Place for Science” program, offering three years of funding to 20 researchers fleeing US academic crackdowns, received 298 applications, with 242 deemed eligible. Applicants hailed from prestigious US universities and included Americans, dual nationals, and researchers from other countries. Former French President François Hollande, advocating for a “scientific refugee” status, introduced a bill proposing subsidiary protection for academics facing threats to their freedom. This legislative action aims to provide faster processing for these researchers, enabling them to continue their work while highlighting France’s commitment to academic freedom.
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John Q. Hosedrinker