Photo: Nazarii Neshcherenskyi / iStock / Getty Images
NASA has confirmed that a meteor streaked across the skies of the northeastern United States earlier this week. The meteor was first spotted off the shore of Mastic Beach on Long Island on Tuesday (April 7) at 2:34 p.m. ET, traveling at a speed of 30,000 mph. It traveled 117 miles before disintegrating 27 miles above Galloway.
Over 200 eyewitnesses from Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania reported the sighting to the American Meteor Society. The meteor's unusual brightness and green tint made it visible during the day, suggesting a unique composition and conditions. According to NASA, this time of year is peak meteor season, with increased sightings due to unknown factors.
Social media buzzed with reports of the meteor. Users described hearing loud booms and seeing bright lights, with some mistaking the event for a UFO. One Reddit user wrote about seeing a "shiny bluish/silver group of things" flying southbound, while another Facebook user mentioned a "huge bang" that scared them.
The recent meteor is part of a series of fireball sightings across the country, including events in California, Texas, and Ohio. These meteors, often called "shooting stars," occur when space rocks enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up, creating a streak of light.