A meteor exploded over the US: NASA has released details

Diana Shevchenko
Diana Shevchenko Journalist
A meteor exploded over the US: NASA has released details
Stock photo
On the afternoon of 31 May, residents of several states in the north-east of the US saw a bright fireball in the sky and heard a loud explosion. According to NASA, this was caused by a meteor that broke up high in the atmosphere over New England

This is according to Reuters, citing NASA.

The meteor broke up at an altitude of over 60 kilometres

The event occurred at around 14:06 Eastern Time (18:06 GMT). The phenomenon was recorded by eyewitnesses, as well as by the GOES-19 satellite of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). According to NASA estimates, the space object broke up at an altitude of approximately 64 kilometres above north-eastern Massachusetts and south-eastern New Hampshire. The disintegration released energy equivalent to approximately 300 tonnes of TNT. This is how NASA explained the loud sound reported by residents of the region.

Why the explosion was heard on the ground

Experts explain that meteors travel at speeds exceeding the speed of sound. As they pass through the atmosphere and break up, they create powerful pressure waves. This can result in a sonic boom that can be heard at a considerable distance from the point of the celestial body’s disintegration.

Follow us on Telegram

Share tittle
Society
Ani Lorak's concerts in Russia have been cancelled following accusations that she supports the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Society

Ani Lorak's concerts in Russia have been cancelled following accusations that she supports the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ani Lorak’s concerts in cities across the Far East have been cancelled in Russia following accusations that she allegedly supports the Ukrainian military.

03.06.2026
The 50+ mobilisation in June 2026: the home front or the front line
Society

The 50+ mobilisation in June 2026: the home front or the front line

Men over the age of 50 who are liable for military service may be called up in Ukraine if they are fit for service and do not have a deferment or exemption.

03.06.2026
Sweden wants to ban social media for children under the age of 15
Society

Sweden wants to ban social media for children under the age of 15

Sweden may join the ranks of countries that restrict children’s access to social media. A government commission is proposing to introduce a minimum age of 15 for using social media, and the relevant legislation could come into force as early as 1 January 2028.

03.06.2026
Epiphanius, Onuphrius or the Pope: which church leader do Ukrainians trust?
Society

Epiphanius, Onuphrius or the Pope: which church leader do Ukrainians trust?

Most Ukrainians are not very familiar with the country’s religious leaders – but among those they do know, Metropolitan Epiphanius enjoys the highest level of trust. Kirill, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, has no trust at all in Ukraine.

03.06.2026
The ECHR has banned the automatic detention of journalists during protests
Society

The ECHR has banned the automatic detention of journalists during protests

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the authorities cannot automatically detain a journalist during a protest simply because they have refused to comply with a police order to leave the scene.

03.06.2026
World
Mass riots following Paris Saint-Germain's victory
Society

Mass riots following Paris Saint-Germain's victory

Mass riots broke out in France following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Champions League final. A total of 780 people were arrested in Paris and other cities across the country, and 57 police officers were injured during the clashes

31.05.2026
A public warning system will be tested in Finland on 1 June
Society

A public warning system will be tested in Finland on 1 June

On 1 June, Finland will test its public warning system, which is used to alert the public to emergencies and potential threats, including drone attacks. The test forms part of the country’s regular civil protection drills

31.05.2026
Pashinyan maintains a comfortable lead ahead of the Armenian elections
Politics

Pashinyan maintains a comfortable lead ahead of the Armenian elections

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s party, “Civic Contract”, is set to win the parliamentary elections on 7 June. According to a poll, the Prime Minister’s party is polling at almost 65% of the vote

31.05.2026
Artists are refusing to take part in the US 250th anniversary celebrations due to links with Trump
Society

Artists are refusing to take part in the US 250th anniversary celebrations due to links with Trump

Several well-known American artists have pulled out of the concert programme at the Great American State Fair, which is being held to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The performers stated that they were unaware of the event’s links to the organisation Freedom 250, which was established on the initiative of President Donald Trump

31.05.2026
Hegset stated that the US is prepared to take action against Iran
Politics

Hegset stated that the US is prepared to take action against Iran

The US is prepared to resort to military action against Iran once again if negotiations over its nuclear programme prove fruitless. At the same time, officials in Washington say that Donald Trump continues to hope for a diplomatic solution

31.05.2026
Lifestyle
Kyiv turns 1,544: how the capital is celebrating City Day
Society

Kyiv turns 1,544: how the capital is celebrating City Day

On 31 May, Kyiv celebrates City Day. This year marks the 1,544th anniversary of Ukraine’s capital. Due to martial law and the full-scale war, there will be no large-scale celebrations; however, dozens of cultural, artistic and sporting events have been organised for residents and visitors alike

31.05.2026
World champion Oleg Doroshchuk has announced his intention to break the Ukrainian record
Sports

World champion Oleg Doroshchuk has announced his intention to break the Ukrainian record

World high jump champion Oleg Doroshchuk has said that he dreams of clearing 2.40 metres and surpassing the achievement of one of Ukraine’s most successful track and field athletes, Bohdan Bondarenko

31.05.2026
On 31 May, believers celebrate Trinity Sunday: traditions and folk customs
Society

On 31 May, believers celebrate Trinity Sunday: traditions and folk customs

On Sunday, 31 May, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Holy Trinity, or Pentecost. It is one of the twelve major feasts of the church calendar, observed on the fiftieth day after Easter

31.05.2026
The weather in Ukraine on 31 May 2026
Society

The weather in Ukraine on 31 May 2026

On Saturday, 31 May, Ukraine will see mainly variable cloud cover. No significant rainfall is forecast for most regions, although forecasters are warning of rain and thunderstorms in a number of regions

31.05.2026
The "Zhivchik" drink has found itself at the centre of a typeface scandal
Society

The "Zhivchik" drink has found itself at the centre of a typeface scandal

Yevgeniy Sadko, founder and director of the Ukrainian font web service Rentafont, has criticised the branding of the ‘Zhivchik’ brand, stating that the design uses a font of Russian origin

30.05.2026