It's the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth — a 54-pound meteorite that fetched more than $5 million at a New York auction last month, setting a world record.

But in the West African nation of Niger, where the rusty-red rock was unearthed in the Sahara Desert, officials have launched an investigation into what they call possible "illicit international trafficking," claiming it may have been smuggled out of the country. Sotheby's, the auction house, has disputed the claim.

The government of Niger says it has launched an official investigation "to identify the circumstances of its discovery and sale." While the country doesn't have specific legislation regarding meteorites, an international heritage law is being looked into.

Here's what to know about the meteorite and the

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