Meteorite over the U.S. disintegrated at a speed of over 120,000 km/h
The meteorite that caused a powerful roar in the U.S. state of Massachusetts on May 30 entered the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of over 120,000 kilometers per hour and exploded in the sky. This was reported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
According to specialists, the fireball was moving at a speed of about 120,700 km/h. It disintegrated at an altitude of approximately 64 kilometers over the northeastern part of Massachusetts and the southeastern part of New Hampshire.
NASA noted that the energy released during the destruction of the space object was about 300 tons in TNT equivalent. This explains the loud bang heard by residents of the region.
Experts also emphasized that the object had a natural origin. It was not space debris or a malfunctioning satellite.
Recall that earlier local media, citing eyewitnesses, reported a powerful roar that was heard over Boston and in many areas of Massachusetts. Many residents mistook the sound for an explosion or the aftermath of a technological incident.
Local residents reported on social media about loud explosions and tremors that caused windows and walls to shake in some homes. According to the agency, debris from the meteorite may have fallen in sparsely populated areas, but there is no information about casualties or damage.
According to scientists, such phenomena occur regularly, but not every meteorite produces such a strong shockwave that it can be heard over a large area.
