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Meteor Over Houston Breaks Apart and Sets Off Sonic Booms as NASA Maps Possible Fall Zone

Officials are verifying reported fragments following radar indications of pieces between Willowbrook and Northgate Crossing.

Overview

  • NASA says the fireball became visible about 49 miles above Stagecoach around 4:40 p.m. CDT and fragmented roughly 29 miles above Bammel near Cypress Station.
  • Preliminary estimates put the object at about 3 feet across and roughly 1 ton, releasing energy comparable to 26 tons of TNT as it broke apart.
  • Doppler radar and satellite signatures indicate meteorites likely fell across a north Houston strewn field that may span more than a dozen miles.
  • A Spring-area homeowner, identified as Sherrie James, reported a heavy rock crashed through her roof; local fire officials called it unusual and said it appears to be a meteorite, with no injuries reported.
  • The American Meteor Society logged more than 100 eyewitness accounts and multiple videos captured the event, while recovery and laboratory authentication efforts continue.