Lump of moon rock sells for $860K

The lunar meteorite is one of the most significant ever found because it has 'partial fusion crust' caused by the heat that sears it as it falls to earth.

Moon Rock Auction

The lunar meteorite was found last year in a remote area of Mauritania in northwest Africa. Source: AAP

A 5.5 kilogram chunk of the moon that fell to earth as a lunar meteorite has been sold at auction for more than $A860,000.

Boston-based RR Auction announced on Friday the $US612,500 ($A860,256) winning bid for the meteorite came from a representative working with the Tam Chuc Pagoda complex in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam.

RR predicted it would get $US500,000 ($A702,250) at auction.

The meteorite was found last year in a remote area of Mauritania in northwest Africa and is composed of six fragments that fit together like a puzzle.

It is considered one of the most significant lunar meteorites ever found because of its large size and because it has "partial fusion crust" caused by the tremendous heat that sears the rock as it falls to earth.


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