Asteroid auction is nearly 4.6 billion years old

A piece of meteorite estimated 4.56 billion years old was found in Mexico in the collection of rare asteroids auctioned this year in New York.

In the headquarters of Christie's auction company in New York, a series of rare meteorites originated from the Moon, Mars and other planets. The annual auction of rare meteorites took place on 3 - 10/5 with the value of each piece from 1,000 - 120,000 USD, according to CNN.

Allende meteorites are found in Mexico.

James Hyslop, Christie's expert, organizer of the auction, said there are many meteorites falling on Earth damaged by atmospheric friction or abrasion by time. Therefore, the larger the meteorite, the more beautiful the shape and the greater the age, the higher the value.

One of the most notable specimens in the collection is the chondrite meteorite containing large carbon found in Mexico.

"It is the oldest material that people see with their eyes, touch it. It's 4.56 billion years old, it's amazing , " Hyslop said.

The age of this Allende meteorite is 30 million years more than Earth and more than the oldest Earthstone 287 million years. It contains the least doped materials from the beginning of the solar system's formation, so the Allende meteorites are considered "the age of the Solar System".