Residents across Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island were left startled Saturday afternoon after a powerful boom echoed across the region.
The sound, reported around 2:30 PM EDT, was described by many as an explosion-like noise that could be heard across the Boston area and beyond.
Meteorologists point to possible meteor event, citing satellite data and unusual atmospheric flash near the Massachusetts coastline.
Spaceflight meteorologist Nick Stewart suggested a possible explanation, stating that the incident was likely a rather significant bolide/meteor entering the atmosphere.
Satellite data reveals unusual atmospheric flash, with meteorologists noting that satellite sensors detected a bright flash east of Boston at roughly the same time residents reported hearing the boom.
Chief meteorologist Eric Fisher reported that satellite data indicated that a meteor likely entered the atmosphere near the South Shore region outside Boston, creating a shockwave powerful enough to be heard across a large section of New England.
A bolide is an exceptionally bright meteor that explodes or fragments as it enters Earth's atmosphere, generating intense flashes and sonic booms.
While no official government agency has yet issued a final determination, meteorologists reviewing satellite observations appear increasingly confident that a meteor explosion was responsible for the loud noise heard across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
