Cape Cod Meteor Likely Originated Near Jupiter

A meteor that exploded over Cape Cod Bay on May 30, 2026, was traced to Jupiter's orbit by a global team of researchers. Scientists used a combination of meteor radar, weather radar, satellite data, and atmospheric sensors to determine its origin.

The meteor, classified as a superbolide, was exceptionally bright and weighed approximately 12,000 pounds before entering Earth's atmosphere. It traveled at nearly 58,000 miles per hour, equivalent to traveling from Boston to New York City in under 25 seconds.

Reconstructing its path, researchers found the meteor’s farthest point from the Sun was about four times Earth’s distance, placing it in the region of Jupiter’s orbit. This suggests the space rock likely originated from the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter or from a comet near Jupiter.

The meteor released energy estimated at 1.1 kilotons, equivalent to 1,100 tons of dynamite. NASA calculated the energy release at around 1.1 kilotons, with some models suggesting a slightly lower but still significant release of 0.5 kilotons.

Atmospheric pressure sensors tracked the shock waves generated by the meteor across Massachusetts and New England. The energy released was enough to produce a sonic boom heard across the region, with some fragments potentially surviving the atmospheric entry and landing in Cape Cod Bay.

Researchers estimate fragments of the meteor may be found in a 1.9-by-2.3-mile area near the center of Cape Cod Bay, with water depths reaching up to 200 feet. The event is considered exceptionally rare, with no similar occurrence expected in the near future.