On May 31, a meteor exploded in the atmosphere above northeastern Massachusetts, creating a loud boom that was reported across much of the state and into parts of Rhode Island. The explosion occurred around 2:11 PM Eastern Time, startling residents and prompting numerous calls to local news stations. NASA reported that the meteor fragmented at an altitude of approximately 40 miles (64 km) and released energy equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT. Eyewitnesses across the Northeast reported seeing a bright fireball around the same time. Satellite data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) corroborated these reports, detecting a signature consistent with a meteor entering the atmosphere. Shauna Edson, an astronomy educator, noted that while most meteors disintegrate harmlessly, those that survive can provide valuable scientific insights. She emphasized the importance of eyewitness reports and video footage in understanding the meteor's characteristics, even if no fragments are recovered, as they can reveal information about the solar system's origins and evolution.