Bright Meteor Streaks Across Afternoon Sky Over New Jersey and Eastern States

A brilliant meteor was spotted streaking across the afternoon sky over New Jersey and several other eastern states, stunning witnesses who reported seeing a bright flash between 2:35 p.m. and 2:40 p.m.

Dozens of residents flooded social media with accounts of the dazzling event, describing a sudden burst of light that cut across the sky in broad daylight. Some witnesses said they also heard a loud boom following the sighting, consistent with a sonic boom produced when a meteor travels through the atmosphere at high speed.

The fireball, as such bright meteors are commonly called, appeared to be visible across a wide swath of the eastern United States, with reports streaming in from multiple states along the East Coast. Daytime meteor sightings are relatively rare, making the event particularly striking for those who witnessed it.

Meteors that produce both visible light and audible booms are typically larger fragments of space rock that survive entry into the Earth's atmosphere long enough to create a pressure wave. Scientists and meteor tracking organizations were expected to analyze the reports to determine the object's trajectory and potential landing zone.

Authorities urged anyone who may have found unusual rock fragments in the area to report them to local officials or scientific organizations, as meteorite recoveries can provide valuable data about the composition of objects from space. No injuries or damage were immediately reported in connection with the event.