CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) – A 7-ton asteroid is believed to be the cause of a massive boom heard by thousands of people in northeast Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania and New York.
According to NASA, the asteroid, estimated at 6 feet in diameter, was first spotted at 8:57 a.m. Tuesday off Lake Erie in Lorain, Ohio.
The asteroid was traveling 40,000 mph and had traveled more than 34 miles through the atmosphere before it broke up in Medina County. NASA said that as it broke up, some fragments fell to the ground.
The meteor unleashed a pressure wave when it broke up, causing the massive boom heard throughout the area.
One WOIO viewer in Strongsville, Ohio, reported that their whole house shook and that picture frames and books were knocked from shelves.
According to NASA, people reported seeing the fireball in places as far as Ontario, Canada.
There were also witnesses in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
The meteor was caught on camera a few times. Olmsted Falls Superintendent Dr. Jim Lloyd shared video of the meteor captured on the school district’s bus garage camera.
WOIO meteorologist Jeff Tanchak said that it is not known where the meteor entered the atmosphere.
At this time, there are no reported injuries.
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