NASA Confirms Meteor Explosion Behind Loud Boom Across New England

(MENAFN) According to reports, NASA has confirmed that a meteor disintegrating in the atmosphere caused a loud boom that was heard across parts of New England, including Massachusetts and surrounding states.

The US space agency stated in a post on social media platform X that a bright fireball was detected at 2:06 p.m. local time by witnesses and NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite. The object reportedly broke apart at an altitude of about 40 miles above northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire.

NASA estimated that the energy released during the breakup was roughly equivalent to 300 tons of TNT, which explains the sonic boom heard across the region.

The assessment was based on satellite data along with eyewitness reports submitted to the American Meteor Society, according to reports.

Residents in areas including Boston described hearing a sudden, explosion-like sound that shook homes and prompted numerous emergency calls. However, authorities found no evidence of damage or any immediate safety threats.

Before the official confirmation, meteorologists had suggested the phenomenon could be linked to a bolide—a bright meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere—while also noting that there was no evidence of lightning activity or seismic events at the time.

Police and fire departments across the region confirmed receiving multiple reports from concerned residents but reported no injuries or physical damage.

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