NASA estimates metrics of exploding meteor that shook ground


PTI, Jan 4, 2022, 8:08 AM IST

Image credit: Getty Images

Pittsburg: A meteor that caused an earthshaking boom over suburban Pittsburgh on New Year’s Day exploded in the atmosphere with an energy blast equivalent to an estimated 30 tons (27,216 kg) of TNT, officials said.

NASA’s Meteor Watch social media site said late Sunday a “reasonable assumption” of the speed of the meteor at about 45,000 mph (72,420 kph) would allow a “ballpark” estimate of its size as about a yard in diameter with a mass close to half a ton (454 kg).

If not for the cloudy weather, NASA said, it would have been easily visible in the daytime sky — maybe about 100 times the brightness of the full moon.

A nearby infrasound station registered the blast wave from the meteor as it broke apart, enabling the estimates.

National Weather Service meteorologist Shannon Hefferan told the Tribune-Review that satellite data recorded a flash, over Washington County shortly before 11:30 am Saturday and officials believed it was due to a meteor “falling through the atmosphere”. Hefferan said a similar event occurred on September 17 in Hardy County, West Virginia.

Residents in South Hills and other areas reported hearing a loud noise and feeling their homes shaking and rattling. Allegheny County officials said they had confirmed that there was no seismic activity and no thunder and lightning.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Kolkata Police arrests musician from Mumbai for molesting student

KL Rahul suffers blow on elbow, management keeps close watch ahead of 1st Test against Australia

Ancient Vandar Kambala: A Thousand-year tradition of faith and heritage in Kundapur

No songs promoting drugs, violence at concert: Diljit Dosanjh gets notice from Telangana government

Karnataka Govt announces holiday calendar for 2025

K. L. Rahul attributes his success to support from people of Kudla

Life of captive elephant akin to being in Nazi extermination camp: Kerala High Court

Related Articles More

Six scholars, including two women, win Infosys Prize 2024

6G technology and intelligent receivers will ease way for army intelligence operations: IIT official

India successfully test-fires long-range cruise missile

IISc scientists develop enzyme-based solution to break antibiotic-resistant biofilms

Elon Musk’s Starlink yet to comply with security norms for satcom licence: Scindia

MUST WATCH

New Technology In Kambala

Lakshdeepotsava 2024 Shree Krishna Mutt

Punganur Cow

Rangoli design

Jagadeesh Nagaraj Kudupali Audio Viral


Latest Additions

PM Modi unveils development projects worth Rs 6,640 crore from Bihar’s Jamui

Amit Shah unveils Birsa Munda’s statue on his 150th birth anniversary at Baansera Park

PETA India gifts life-size mechanical elephant to Kerala temple

Transgender persons to be deployed for traffic management in Hyderabad

Kolkata Police arrests musician from Mumbai for molesting student

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.