Meteor Causes Loud Boom Across Greater Boston, Sparking Public Interest
A loud boom heard across multiple areas of Massachusetts on Saturday was caused by an apparent meteor, according to Ken Mahan, lead meteorologist for the Boston Globe. The meteor, described as a bolide or fireball, passed through the atmosphere just east of Boston around 2 p.m. The phenomenon is characterized by a sonic boom, which occurs when the meteor travels faster than the sound barrier, creating a massive pressure wave. NASA is expected to estimate the size of the meteor, which is typically 1-2 meters for bolides, in the coming days. John Ebel, a senior research scientist at the Weston Observatory, confirmed that the sound was not caused by an earthquake, as atmospheric pressure waves were stronger than any seismic signals detected. The meteor's entry into the atmosphere was significant enough to produce a sound louder than usual, indicating it was larger and faster than typical meteors. 
