Additional Coverage:
Residents across various areas in New York City and New. Jersey experienced a startling loud boom on Tuesday morning, which NASA believes was likely caused by a meteor known as a daylight fireball. A daylight fireball meteor is one that shines brighter than the sun as it enters Earth’s atmosphere, making it visible even during the day, explains the American Meteor Society.
At approximately 11:17 a.m. ET, this bright meteoric event was reported by NASA’s Meteor Watch team, according to a post on their Facebook page.
NASA’s analysis suggests that the fireball traveled at about 34,000 miles per hour and reached its peak altitude about 49 miles above the Upper Bay close to Greenville Yard in Jersey City. It is believed to have flown over iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty.
The meteor’s journey ended when it disintegrated approximately 29 miles above Midtown Manhattan, NASA estimates. These initial findings are still tentative, as they are based primarily on eyewitness reports, and there is a lack of camera or satellite data to provide a more precise trajectory.
NASA also noted that no meteorites—pieces that survive the fiery passage through Earth’s atmosphere—were found after the event. Concurrent military activity reported in the area on Tuesday morning may account for additional reports of shaking and loud noises received by local media outlets.
The disturbance was noticeable from southern New Jersey to select neighborhoods in Queens and Brooklyn, per the NYC Emergency Management. However, Aries Dela Cruz from the NYCEM mentioned in a social media post on X that there have been no reports of any damage or injuries as a result of the incident.