A meteor made a spectacular entrance into the Earth's atmosphere over the New York City metropolitan area on Tuesday morning, leaving residents in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut puzzled and intrigued. According to multiple reports from reliable sources including NASA and local emergency management agencies, the meteor was first spotted over New York Harbor before it streaked across the sky above Midtown Manhattan.
NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office confirmed that a meteor had entered the Earth's atmosphere at an estimated speed of 38,000 miles per hour. The agency also reported that the meteor passed over New York City and moved west into New Jersey. Preliminary analysis suggests that it disintegrated approximately 29 miles above midtown Manhattan.
The American Meteor Society received numerous reports of the event from eyewitnesses across the affected regions. Some residents reported hearing a loud boom or feeling shaking similar to an earthquake, while others saw a bright fireball in the sky. The society estimates that the meteor was probably about the size of a beach ball.
Despite initial confusion, it was determined that there were no reports of damage or injuries related to the event. However, some eyewitnesses reported seeing something resembling a meteor or fireball around 11:17 a.m. Tuesday, and some thought they saw it chart a course directly over the Statue of Liberty.
NASA lacks camera data and satellite data for this event, but it is working to gather more information from eyewitness accounts. The agency also noted that there were no military activities in the vicinity around the time of the fireball that could account for any reported shaking or sounds.
The FAA confirmed that only a military aircraft could be responsible for any sonic booms and referred queries to the relevant military authorities. However, no such reports have been made public yet.
This meteor event is a reminder of the constant cosmic activity happening around us, and how even seemingly mundane occurrences can capture our collective imagination. It also underscores the importance of reliable sources in reporting such events to ensure accurate and unbiased information reaches the public.
