A meteorite that triggered a massive boom over Cape Cod may have landed in the bay, according to NASA. The space agency revealed that the meteor fragmented at an altitude of 40 miles over northeast Massachusetts and southeast New Hampshire shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, startling residents across New England.
NASA's Analysis of the Event
In a statement shared with the media, NASA explained that the energy released during the meteor's breakup was equivalent to approximately 300 tons of TNT, which accounts for the loud noise heard by many. The meteor became a meteorite upon impacting Earth rather than burning up completely. NASA believes the space rock fell in the middle of Cape Cod Bay, an event the agency humorously dubbed a 'fishy squisher.'
Recovery Possibilities
Given that the meteorite landed in about 100 feet of water and likely possesses magnetic properties, a space rock hunter may be able to recover it. 'Most meteorites are strongly attracted to a magnet, and these ones are within reach of a 100-foot length of rope dangled off of a boat. In case anyone is interested in such factoids,' NASA stated on its website. The Independent has reached out to NASA for further updates on the meteorite's status.
Widespread Reports of the Boom
Several New Englanders shared videos with the media depicting loud booms that thundered through their homes. One Newton, Massachusetts, resident described how his entire house began to shake. 'It literally felt like someone was slamming all our doors in the house at once,' Manny Kharasch told ABC News' Good Morning America. 'Whatever that shock wave was, was enough to literally move things.'
Regional Impact
The meteorite's effects were not confined to New England alone. Robert Lunsford from the American Meteor Society stated that the nonprofit received dozens of reports from Delaware to Montreal of people hearing a boom, feeling the ground shake, or witnessing a fireball in the sky, according to the Associated Press. NASA confirmed that the meteorite was a natural object, ruling out the possibility of it being a satellite or space debris.
