NASA confirms elephant-sized meteor broke up over New England

Key facts

• NASA confirmed an elephant-sized meteor broke up over New England.
• The meteor was approximately 5 feet wide and traveled at 42,000 mph.
• The energy released was equivalent to about 230 tons of TNT.
• The meteor broke up miles above New England and landed in Cape Cod Bay.
• The U.S. Geological Survey received reports of shaking but registered no earthquake.
• The American Meteor Society received dozens of reports from Delaware to Montreal.

A meteor, described by NASA as elephant-sized, broke up over New England on Saturday, causing booms that shook homes and prompted widespread speculation. NASA revealed on Monday that the fireball was approximately 5 feet (1.52 meters) wide and entered Earth's atmosphere at 42,000 mph (67,592.5 kph). The agency estimated the energy released was equivalent to about 230 tons of TNT. The meteor, composed of natural material, traveled through the atmosphere for about 26 miles (41.8 kilometers) before falling into Cape Cod Bay. While meteors are common, this event had a significant audience. The U.S. Geological Survey received numerous reports of shaking but confirmed no earthquake occurred. The American Meteor Society also received dozens of reports from Delaware to Montreal.