Meteor explosion over US produces massive shockwave, NASA says
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- NASA reports a meteor exploded over the northeastern US with energy equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT.
- The fireball created a shockwave that shook homes and startled residents across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
A large meteor exploded in the sky over the northeastern United States on Saturday evening, generating a powerful sonic boom and shockwaves that rattled homes and caused widespread alarm, according to the US space agency NASA.
The incident was reported in coordination with the news agency Agence France-Presse, which cited NASA officials describing the event as a rare natural atmospheric explosion.
NASA officials said the fireball disintegrated over an area near the shared airspace of Massachusetts and New Hampshire at approximately 2:06 p.m. local time.
The object was confirmed to be a natural meteoroid and not linked to any known meteor shower or space debris re-entry, according to the agency.
Officials added that there was no indication of artificial origin, ruling out satellites or human-made objects.
NASA estimated the explosion released energy equivalent to roughly 300 tons of TNT as the object entered the atmosphere at extreme velocity.
The atmospheric breakup produced a bright fireball followed by a powerful shockwave that was felt on the ground across multiple communities.
Residents reported house vibrations and a loud boom that briefly sparked concern over a possible industrial or aviation incident.
Scientists note that such mid-air meteor explosions are not unusual, but most occur over oceans or remote areas and go largely unnoticed.
NASA continues to track near-Earth objects as part of ongoing planetary defense efforts, monitoring for any objects that could pose a risk to populated regions.
