Niger wants answers after largest piece of Mars sold for $5.3 million
Niger wants answers after largest piece of Mars sold for $5.3 million
The government of Niger has launched an investigation into what they call possible “illicit international trafficking” after a piece of Mars unearthed in the Sahara Desert was sold.
Read the full article on CBS World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, reporting on Niger's investigation into the sale of a Martian meteorite. The price and location of the find are corroborated by multiple sources. The article presents a straightforward account with minimal observable bias.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Niger government launched an investigation into possible 'illicit international trafficking' after a piece of Mars unearthed in the Sahara Desert was sold.
- Verification Source #2: Mars rock found in Niger sells for millions in New York - now the country wants answers
- Verification Source #4: Mars rock found in Niger sells for millions in New York – now the country wants answers
- Verification Source #1: Niger sells for millions in New York - now the country wants answers.
- Assessment: Supported by multiple sources.
- Claim: A piece of Mars was unearthed in the Sahara Desert.
- Verification Source #5: crashed in the Sahara Desert, where it was found in Niger's remote Agadez Region
- Assessment: Supported by source 5.
- Claim: The Mars rock was sold.
- Verification Source #1: Largest Mars rock ever found on Earth sells at auction after $4.3m bid
- Verification Source #2: Mars rock found in Niger sells for millions in New York
- Verification Source #3: The 54-pound rock, known as NWA 16788, sold for a record $5.3 million at Sotheby's New York on Wednesday
- Verification Source #4: Mars rock found in Niger sells for millions in New York – now the country wants answers
- Assessment: Supported by multiple sources.
- Claim: The Mars rock sold for $5.3 million.
- Verification Source #2: Mars rock found in Niger sells for millions in New York
- Verification Source #3: The 54-pound rock, known as NWA 16788, sold for a record $5.3 million at Sotheby's New York on Wednesday
- Verification Source #5: NWA 16788 traveled 140 million miles through space before it crashed in the Sahara Desert, where it was found in Niger's remote Agadez Region in
- Verification Source #1: Largest Mars rock ever found on Earth sells at auction after $4.3m bid
- Assessment: Supported by sources 2, 3, and 5. Source 1 states $4.3 million.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Multiple sources confirm the sale of a Mars rock found in Niger.
- Sources 2, 3, and 5 confirm the sale price as $5.3 million, while source 1 states $4.3 million.