Summary
NASA confirmed sightings of a bright meteor, known as a fireball, across five northeastern U.S. states. The meteor was first sighted above the ocean near Long Island and traveled over 100 miles before breaking up in New Jersey's atmosphere.
Key Facts
- The meteor was seen in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
- It was first detected 48 miles over the Atlantic Ocean near Long Island, New York.
- The fireball traveled at a speed of 30,000 miles per hour.
- It disintegrated 27 miles above Galloway, New Jersey.
- A fireball is a very bright meteor, brighter than Venus.
- Fireballs occur more frequently from February to April in the northern hemisphere.
- Meteors generally don’t pose a hazard as most disintegrate before reaching the ground.
- NASA uses specialized telescopes to monitor the skies for objects of various sizes.
