A meteorite fell in Texas: many residents heard the explosion

NASA has confirmed that a meteor about 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter and weighing about 1000 pounds (450 kg) fell in Texas. Many residents heard the explosion, but did not know what it was. Writes about it Fox4News.

Photo: IStock

Experts believe that the space rock, before falling to earth around 18:00 on February 15 near McAllen (Texas), broke into several pieces.

“Although meteorites usually hit the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, they slow down as they move through the atmosphere, breaking into small fragments before falling to the ground. Meteorites cool rapidly and generally do not pose a danger to the public,” NASA said in a statement.

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The space agency has released a map showing a buried field or area where meteorites are likely to have fallen.

Video from a home surveillance camera captured a loud sonic boom and the reaction of birds as the meteorite hit.

Residents described windows rattling and earthquake-like shaking.

The National Weather Service said the accompanying fireball was bright enough for satellites to detect.

And the pilots of two planes reported sightings of him.

"The meteorite seen in the sky over McAllen is a reminder that NASA and other organizations must improve the protection of the Earth, combine scientific and engineering expertise to advance human space exploration, integrate ground and planetary exploration to further develop our planet, understanding the solar system." , NASA said.

About one to two small meteoroids annually enter the Earth's atmosphere over the United States and often break up into meteorites that fall to the ground.

While meteor strikes are not uncommon, Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra was quick to reassure people who were alarmed that several objects had been shot down over US airspace in recent days. CNN.

“It is obvious that, given all these incidents (with unknown objects in the sky - Ed.), you can imagine what people were afraid of,” Guerra said.

The National Weather Service in Brownsville, Texas, said a satellite system designed to measure lightning strikes has detected a visible meteorite. There was no storm in the area at the time.

"This can be scary for our residents, and we want to make sure we provide our residents with as much information as possible to help them feel safe here in our local community," said Rep. Monica de la Cruz, who represents the area. .

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Anyone who finds these meteorites is strongly advised to contact the Smithsonian Institution so they can be studied.

Earlier this month the military US fighter jets shoot down suspected Chinese reconnaissance balloon over the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast, said representatives of the Department of Defense. Many Americans were thrilled when they followed the balloon from Montana to the Carolinas.

A few days later, a US fighter jet shot down another airborne object over Lake Huron, the Pentagon said. This happened after an unidentified object was shot down over Canada, a day after the object was shot down by a US F-22 in Alaska airspace.

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