A meteor exploded high above the northeastern United States on Saturday, generating a powerful sonic boom equivalent to around 300 tons of TNT and startling residents across multiple states, according to NASA and meteor experts.
Details of the Event
The fireball broke apart over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire at 2:06 pm local time, producing loud booms heard across New England and shaking buildings in some areas. NASA deputy news chief Jennifer Dooren stated, "This fireball was not associated with any currently active meteor shower, but it was a natural object and not a re-entry of space debris or a satellite."
"The energy released at breakup is estimated to be equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT, which accounts for the loud booms," she added.
Meteor's Path and Speed
According to NASA, the meteor was traveling at approximately 75,000 mph (120,700 kph) when it entered the atmosphere and fragmented roughly 40 miles above the ground. The American Meteor Society reported that the object was about three feet wide and entered the atmosphere near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border, north of Boston.
Reports poured in from as far south as Delaware and as far north as Montreal, with witnesses describing a bright daytime fireball, loud explosions, and ground shaking. American Meteor Society program monitor Robert Lunsford said the phenomenon appeared much larger than a typical fireball. "It was definitely bigger than a normal fireball, about a yard wide," he said.
Ground Impact Unlikely
Lunsford noted that it was unlikely the meteor reached the ground. "We would need more information about the trajectory, the speed, and other aspects to know for sure if it hit the ground, but if it didn't burn up, then it would have landed in the ocean," he explained. "Most of them do burn up before they hit the ground."
The loud blasts prompted numerous residents to report shaking buildings to local authorities and the US Geological Survey. Several videos shared on social media captured what sounded like two rapid booms, although there were no visible signs of an explosion on the ground.
Seismic Activity Not Detected
The US Geological Survey confirmed receiving multiple "Did you feel it?" reports from residents across the region. However, officials said no seismic activity was detected, ruling out an earthquake as the source of the shaking. NASA reiterated that the event was a natural meteor explosion and not related to any satellite re-entry or space debris.
