Officials claim that a meteor that caused an Earthshaking Boom over suburban Pittsburgh on New Year’s Day, exploded in the atmosphere with an estimated 30 tonnes (27,216kg) of TNT.
NASA’s Meteor Watch social-media site said that the meteor traveled at 45,000 mph (72.420 kph). This would give a rough estimate of its size, which is approximately a yard in diameter and a weight close to half of a ton (454 kilograms).
NASA said that it would have been visible in the sky if it wasn’t for the cloudy weather. It was about 100 times brighter than the full moon.
A nearby infrasound station recorded the blast wave from a meteor as it broke apart, which enabled the estimates.
Shannon Hefferan, National Weather Service meteorologist, stated to the Tribune-Review a flash was recorded by satellite data over Washington County on Saturday morning just before 11:30 AM. Officials believe it was caused due to a meteor hitting the atmosphere. Hefferan reported that a similar event took place in Hardy County (West Virginia) on Sept. 17.
Residents of South Hills and surrounding areas reported hearing loud noises, and feeling their homes shaking and vibrating. Allegheny County officials confirmed that there was no earthquake and no thunder or lightning.
(This story was not edited by Devdiscourse staff. It is generated automatically from a syndicated feed.