NEW JERSEY (WPIX) – Social media was abuzz Tuesday after people in parts of New Jersey and New York City heard a loud boom that may have been a meteor.
NASA’s Office of Meteoroid Environments told Nexstar’s WPIX it believes the fireball may have flown about 49 miles above the Upper Bay, near Greenville Yard in Jersey City.
Based on archived reports on the American Meteor Society website, the fireball may have flown at about 34,000 miles per hour, passed over the Statue of Liberty and disintegrated 29 miles above Midtown, Manhattan.
Bill Cooke, leader of NASA’s Office of Meteoroid Environments, explained that the estimated trajectory of the fireball is still uncertain, as it is based on some eyewitness reports. He said it appears no meteorites were produced by this event.
Fireballs are defined by NASA as a type of meteor that is “exceptionally bright” and can be seen over a wide area. They are rare to see during the day and are usually not large enough to pass through Earth’s atmosphere. Fragments of fireballs, known as meteorites, can sometimes be found on the ground, according to NASA’s website.
WPIX also reached out to the U.S. Geological Survey to ask about any possible seismic activity and received the following response:
“The USGS National Earthquake Information Center has received reports of tremors in the northeastern New Jersey and Staten Island, New York area. An examination of seismic data in the area has shown no evidence of an earthquake. The USGS does not have any direct evidence of the origin of the earthquake. Previous reports of tremors without an associated seismic signal have had atmospheric origins, such as sonic booms or weather-related phenomena.”
A representative from the New York City Office of Emergency Management posted in X, saying “NYCEM is aware of these reports. There are no reported impacts to the city at this time.” He assured residents that any emergency alerts would be issued through @NotifyNYC.
The loud rumbling and shaking were reported from southern New Jersey to parts of Queens and Brooklyn.
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