NASA says meteor that landed in Cape Cod considered to be made of iron
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- NASA released new data indicating that the meteor that crashed in Cape Cod Bay had a steep entry angle and entered the atmosphere at an unusually high altitude of 31 miles, double the typical 15 miles.
- The meteor was only detected on radar for about 2 minutes, shorter than the usual 8-10 minutes, suggesting it fragmented and produced smaller pieces.
- The meteor's density was calculated at 8000 kg/m3, consistent with an iron meteorite, and NASA described it as "evidently very mechanically strong," though this cannot be confirmed.
- The meteor caused a loud sonic boom heard across the Northeast, initially mistaken for an explosion before NASA confirmed it was a meteor event.
- This is an ongoing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.