Cape Cod meteor originated near Jupiter's orbit, researchers confirm
Scientists traced the 12,000-pound rock back to a point 4.27 times Earth's distance from the Sun.
By Lauren Foster ·
Researchers have determined that the meteor which lit up Massachusetts on May 30 originated in the vicinity of Jupiter. The space rock traveled from an average distance of 227 million miles from the Sun before entering Earth's atmosphere. Its farthest point from the Sun reached 4.27 times the distance of Earth, placing its source in the region of Jupiter's orbit.
The object was classified as a superbolide, a designation reserved for exceptionally bright meteors. Before entering the atmosphere, the rock measured approximately 5 feet in width and weighed roughly 12,000 pounds. It struck the atmosphere at a speed of nearly 58,000 miles per hour. At that velocity, the meteor could travel the distance from Boston to New York City in under 25 seconds.
The event on May 30 generated a sonic boom heard across the region. Scientists used data from nearly 200 atmospheric pressure sensors to track the shock waves. They combined this with meteor radar, conventional weather radar, and satellite observations to reconstruct the rock's path. The findings were published in The Astronomical Journal.
Energy estimates for the impact vary between independent calculations. NASA estimated the energy release at approximately 1.1 kilotons of dynamite. Other models suggest a release closer to 0.5 kilotons, or 500 tons, of dynamite. The meteor was unusually dense and mechanically strong, indicating a high iron content. This composition allowed fragments to survive the passage through the atmosphere.
Scientists estimate that fragments landed in Cape Cod Bay. The debris is expected to be found within a 1.9-by-2.3-mile area near the center of the bay. The water in that area reaches a maximum depth of about 200 feet. Fragments may range in weight from a few ounces to approximately 3 pounds.
The reconstruction of the meteor's trajectory required running its path backward through space. The average distance of its orbit from the Sun is 227 million miles, compared to Earth's average distance of 93 million miles. The research team included scientists and researchers from around the globe who analyzed the combined sensor data to map the object's journey from the outer solar system to the Atlantic coast.
Source: The Boston Globe
