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7-Ton Meteor Explodes Over Northeast Ohio, Sonic Boom Heard Across Multiple States

At ~8:56 a.m. EDT March 17 a ~6-ft, 7-ton meteor entered Earth’s atmosphere over Lake Erie traveling ~45,000 mph. It fragmented over Medina County, Ohio, releasing energy equivalent to ~250 tons of TNT and generating a pressure wave felt as loud booms and shaking homes across northeast Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and parts of 10+ states. NASA’s fireball network confirmed the event; potential meteorites may have reached the ground in a strewn field south of Valley City.

Details

Science

Discovery
fireball event
Instrument
NASA Fireball Network + public reports
Significance
Large daylight fireball with widespread sonic boom; potential recoverable fragments

Coverage

2 reports
  1. nasa.gov ·

    NASA Confirms 7-Ton Meteor Caused Sonic Boom Over Northeast Ohio

    The March 17 daylight fireball fragmented at ~50 miles altitude over Medina County. Energy release created a shock wave felt across 10+ states. NASA’s fireball network and public reports confirmed the event; meteorite search area identified south of Valley City.

    70
  2. space.com ·

    Massive meteor explodes over Ohio, sonic boom reported across multiple states

    Traveling at 45,000 mph, the meteor broke apart with TNT-equivalent force. Public videos captured the daylight streak; potential fragments may lie in Medina County. One of the largest daylight fireballs in recent U.S. history.

    65

Veenie.Space Telemetry

Simulate NASA Hardware

At ~8:56 a.m. EDT March 17 a ~6-ft, 7-ton meteor entered Earth’s atmosphere over Lake Erie traveling

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