A METEOR traveling at 42,000mph rattled Vermont buildings as it exploded with the force of 440 pounds of TNT. The Sunday night meteor – dubbed by Nasa Meteor Watch as “a nice little firework, courtesy of Mother Nature” – shot through the sky over northern Vermont. The fireball, which was clocked at 42,000 miles per […]
A METEOR traveling at 42,000mph rattled Vermont buildings as it exploded with the force of 440 pounds of TNT.
The Sunday night meteor – dubbed by Nasa Meteor Watch as “a nice little firework, courtesy of Mother Nature” – shot through the sky over northern Vermont.
The fireball, which was clocked at 42,000 miles per hour (19 kilometers per second), was viewed by 100 witnesses.
It was reportedly spotted over Vermont before sunset at 5.38pm.
According to Nasa, the energy of the fireball fragmentation was measured at 440 pounds (200 kilograms) of TNT, according to infrasound measurements.
Nasa explained in its Wednesday Facebook post: “About 30 miles up, the pressure difference between front and back exceeded its structural strength.
“The space rock fragmented violently, producing a pressure wave that rattled buildings and generated the sound heard by those near the trajectory.
“Such a pressure wave can also couple into the ground, causing minor ‘tremors’ that can be picked up by seismic instruments in the area; the wave itself can be detected by infrasound (low frequency sound that can travel great distances) stations.”
Nasa revealed the meteor was 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) and six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter.
The meteor reportedly traveled between Mount Mansfield State Forest and Beach Hill in Vermont – a total of 33 miles.
Nasa explained that the space rock was “likely a fragment of an asteroid.”
According to an NBC affiliate, some residents of Vermont reported seeing and, or, feeling the meteor as it passed by.
Al Gregoritsch, of South Burlington, told the news outlet: “I was very excited to see it. It’s a phenomenon I will never forget.”
