This children’s article, A rock from Mars sells for millions!, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about meteorites and Mars, and discover the fascinating world of rare space rocks. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
A rock from another planet
Would you spend millions of dollars on a rock? Someone just did!
Last week, on the 16th of July, a very rare piece of rock from Mars was sold at auction for a mind-blowing $4.3 million (£3.2 million). It was discovered in 2023 in Niger, a country in West Africa. Scientists believe it travelled millions of kilometres through space before landing on Earth.
The meteorite has a very boring name: NWA 16788. But the rock itself is anything but boring! It weighs 24.5kg (about the same as a big dog) and is 38cm long, making it one of the largest Martian meteorites ever found.
The auction was held by Sotheby’s, a famous company that sells rare and valuable objects. The buyer hasn’t been named, but it’s clear they really wanted this special space souvenir.
What exactly is a meteorite?
A meteorite is a piece of rock or metal that falls to Earth from space. Most meteorites come from asteroids, but some, like NWA 16788, come from other planets, such as Mars.
When a meteorite enters Earth’s atmosphere, it travels so fast that it glows and may even cause a fireball in the sky. If it survives the journey and lands on Earth, it becomes a meteorite.
Why are meteorites so expensive?
Meteorites from Mars are incredibly rare. Out of the thousands of meteorites found on Earth, only around 350 are believed to have come from Mars. People pay huge sums for them, either to study them or to show off their space rock collection.
Believe it or not, “meteorite hunter” is a real job! These people travel around deserts, mountains, or icy places like Antarctica, searching for rocks that may have come from space. They look for unusual shapes, colours, or textures, and use magnets and tools to test them. It takes a lot of training and patience, but finding even a small space rock can be worth thousands!
Article vocabulary list
- Auction – A public sale where people bid (offer money) to buy something
- Meteorite – A rock or metal object from space that lands on Earth
- Atmosphere – The layer of gases around a planet like Earth
- Rare – Not common or easy to find
- Kilogram (kg) – A unit for measuring weight
- Souvenir – A special item kept to remember something
- Collection – A group of special things someone keeps
- Desert – A dry, sandy area with little water or rain
- Patience – The ability to wait or do something slowly without getting angry
- Texture – How something feels when you touch it (smooth, rough, etc.)
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Where was the Mars meteorite found?
A) Egypt
B) Niger
C) Morocco
Answer: B) Niger
2. How much did the meteorite sell for?
A) $1.3 million
B) $2.8 million
C) $4.3 million
Answer: C) $4.3 million
3. What makes Martian meteorites special?
A) They glow in the dark
B) They are very rare
C) They are made of gold
Answer: B) They are very rare
4. What is the job of a meteorite hunter?
A) Build rockets
B) Study Mars from telescopes
C) Search for meteorites on Earth
Answer: C) Search for meteorites on Earth
5. What does ‘auction’ mean?
A) A rocket launch
B) A kind of space rock
C) A sale where people bid to buy something
Answer: C) A sale where people bid to buy something
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
