NASA confirms natural meteoroid caused sonic boom over US Northeast

A meteor entered the Earth’s atmosphere over the northeastern United States on Saturday, fragmenting at an altitude of 64 kilometres and releasing energy equivalent to approximately 300 tons of TNT. The event, which occurred at 2:06 pm local time, generated a loud double sonic boom that was reported to have shaken buildings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The object, measuring approximately one metre in width, was travelling at 120,000 kilometres per hour when it broke apart. According to NASA, the fireball fragmented over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire, north of Boston. The American Meteor Society cited by the Associated Press noted the entry point was near the New Hampshire border.

Jennifer Dooren, NASA’s deputy news chief, provided details to news agencies regarding the incident. She confirmed that the fireball was a natural object and not associated with any currently active meteor shower. Dooren further clarified that the event was not the result of space debris or a satellite re-entry.

Residents in the affected regions reported bafflement at the sudden noise, with some taking to social media to describe their houses shaking. Videos circulating online captured two quick booms, with no visible fire, smoke, or other causes for the noise observed by those on the ground.

The United States space agency posted a statement on X confirming the energy release and nature of the object. While initial reports focused on the sonic disturbance, the confirmation from NASA and the American Meteor Society establishes the event as a natural meteoroid entry rather than an artificial or orbital incident.