New Jersey (WPIX) — A loud explosion believed to be a meteorite was heard in parts of New Jersey and New York City on Tuesday, sending social media into a frenzy.
NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office told Nexstar’s WPIX that the fireball may have traveled about 49 miles above the Upper Bay near Jersey City’s Greenville Yards.
According to a report filed on the American Meteor Society’s website, the fireball traveled at about 34,000 miles per hour, possibly passing over the Statue of Liberty and breaking up 29 miles above midtown Manhattan.
Bill Cook, director of NASA’s Meteorite Environment Office, explained that the estimated trajectory of the fireball is still uncertain because it’s based on a few witnesses, but he said the event doesn’t appear to have produced a meteorite.
A fireball is defined as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Fireballs are known to be “extremely bright” and widely visible meteors. They are rarely seen during the day and are usually not large enough to pass through Earth’s atmosphere. Meteorites, fragments of fireballs, can sometimes be found on Earth, according to the NASA website.
WPIX reached out to the U.S. Geological Survey to inquire about possible seismic activity and received the following response:
“The USGS National Earthquake Information Center received reports of shaking in the area of northeastern New Jersey and Staten Island, New York. After reviewing seismic data for the region, no evidence of an earthquake was found. The USGS does not have direct evidence of the cause of the shaking. Previously reported shaking without an associated seismic signal has been due to atmospheric causes, such as sonic booms and weather-related phenomena.”
Representative of the New York City Office of Emergency Management Post to X“NYCEM is aware of these reports. At this time, there are no reported impacts to the city,” he said. He urged residents to remain alert. Follow.
Loud explosions and shaking were reported from southern New Jersey to parts of Queens and Brooklyn.
