Residents across eastern Massachusetts were startled by a loud sonic boom on Saturday afternoon, leading to a flurry of calls to local police departments. Experts have confirmed that the noise was caused by a meteor entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
Local Impact and Response
The boom was heard around 2:30 p.m., with reports coming in from as far as Delaware to Montreal. Many residents described feeling the ground shake and seeing a bright fireball in the sky. Despite the widespread concern, local police and fire departments reported no damage or injuries.
In Newbury, the fire department noted a significant increase in calls, describing the event as a ‘sonic-wave’ or ‘explosion’ sensation. Similarly, the Needham Police Department urged residents to refrain from calling 911 unless there was an emergency, as their lines were overwhelmed with inquiries about the noise.
Expert Analysis
Meteorologists and experts from the American Meteor Society confirmed that the sonic boom was caused by a meteor approximately three feet wide. The meteor entered the atmosphere at a speed of about 75,000 mph, fragmenting at an altitude of 40 miles above the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. NASA added that the energy released was equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT.
Robert Lunsford, a fire program monitor, mentioned that while the meteor was larger than usual, it likely did not reach the ground, possibly burning up or landing in the ocean. This event was not linked to any active meteor shower and was a natural occurrence, not related to space debris or satellite re-entry.
Public Safety Assurances
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security assured the public that there was no threat to safety. They continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners to gather more information about the event.
Overall, while the sonic boom caused temporary alarm, it was a natural phenomenon with no lasting impact on public safety.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
