Residents in parts of New York City and New Jersey were startled by a loud boom on Tuesday morning, which NASA officials later attributed to a daylight fireball meteor. A daylight fireball is a meteor bright enough to be visible during the day as it burns brighter than the sun’s light while entering Earth’s atmosphere, according to the American Meteor Society.
Daylight #FIREBALL: on Tuesday morning, New Yorkers experienced ground shaking and a stunning sight as a meteor flew over the Statue of Liberty!
Have you witnessed it? Share your photos, videos, and impressions in the comments! https://t.co/YwKBv83k6a#nyc #meteor #nasa
— OrbitalToday.com (@SpaceBiz1) July 17, 2024
NASA’s Meteor Watch team reported that the daylight fireball was observed at 11:17 a.m. ET. Tracking its path, NASA estimated that the fireball flew at an altitude of 49 miles above Upper Bay near Greenville Yard in Jersey City. The meteor was believed to have traveled at a speed of 34,000 miles per hour as it passed over the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. It then appeared to disintegrate 29 miles above Midtown Manhattan.
Officials cautioned that the trajectory of the meteor is still uncertain, based on a few eyewitness accounts, and emphasized that no camera or satellite data are available to refine the estimates. NASA confirmed that no meteorites, or fragments of the meteor, were produced by this event.
METEOR CONFIRMED ☄️ NASA Meteor Watch says a daylight “fireball” passed over New York City – around the same time residents in the city and New Jersey reported hearing booms and shaking. Did you hear or feel the sonic boom? https://t.co/xemdLw0Ggm pic.twitter.com/tWgQ3Xo7Bf
— Blaise Gomez (@BlaiseGomez12) July 17, 2024
Additionally, NASA noted that there were reports of military activity in the vicinity at the time of the fireball sighting, which could explain the multiple shakings and sounds reported. The loud noise and shaking were felt from southern New Jersey to parts of Queens and Brooklyn, according to NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM).
Aries Dela Cruz, an official from NYCEM, stated that the agency received no reports of damage or injuries related to the event.
Key Points:
- Residents in New York City and New Jersey were startled by a loud boom due to a daylight fireball meteor.
- The fireball was seen at 11:17 a.m. ET and flew at an estimated 34,000 miles per hour, disintegrating above Midtown Manhattan.
- NASA noted the trajectory is uncertain due to limited eyewitness accounts and no available camera or satellite data.
- No meteorites were produced, and reports of military activity may explain the multiple shakings and sounds.
- NYC Emergency Management reported no damage or injuries related to the event.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
