A bright meteor exploded over Ohio Wednesday evening, creating a sonic boom and tremors felt across multiple states.
Meteorite Passes Over Ohio and Disintegrates in Atmosphere
According to the Associated Press, a fireball was visible even during daylight hours around 6:09 PM local time and was observed in several states, from Wisconsin to Maryland.
The American Meteor Society received hundreds of reports, and NASA confirmed the object was approximately 1.8 meters in diameter.
Astronomical Explanation
“This appears to be a bolide, which is an exceptionally bright meteor that occurs when a small asteroid or fragment of space debris enters the Earth’s atmosphere and undergoes rapid combustion,” said astronomer Carl Hergenrother, as quoted by the agency.
Residents Report Shaking
Some residents felt the ground tremble.
The meteor appeared at an altitude of approximately 80 km above Lake Erie, then traveled over 55 km through the upper atmosphere before disintegrating over Valley City. NASA estimates the object released energy equivalent to about 250 tons of TNT during disintegration.
Sonic Boom and Seismic Activity
Tens of thousands of people in northern Ohio heard a loud boom, and some residents felt the ground shake. A seismograph in Lorain County registered tremors accompanying the shockwave resulting from the celestial body’s disintegration.
Meteorological Assessment
“Small fragments may have fallen, but most of the (meteorite) burned up in the atmosphere,” explained meteorologist Brian Mitchell.
Employees of the National Weather Service in Cleveland, among others, heard the boom and felt distinct vibrations in the building’s structure. So far, there have been no reports of specific rock fragments being found.
Widespread Visibility
According to the “Washington Post,” the phenomenon was visible for approximately 5.5 seconds over a wide area, including states such as Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan, as well as the western part of New York state.