A spectacular daytime fireball exploded over the southeastern United States on June 26th, creating a thunderous shockwave that shattered windows and produced loud booms. The American Meteor Society received over 200 reports of the object as it sped across the state, with multiple instruments tracking its fall.
According to NASA’s Meteoroid Environments Office, the meteoroid was traveling at approximately 30,000 miles per hour when it broke apart at an altitude of 27 miles above West Forest, Georgia. The estimated impact energy was nearly half a kiloton of TNT.
The meteorite impacted with enough force to create a shockwave that rattled windows and produced loud booms, similar to an earthquake. Some observers reported thunder and rumbling that lasted for up to 15 seconds.
While most incoming meteoroids are incinerated, a small percentage like this one can reach the ground as meteorites. The Georgia fall was likely caused by a fireball known as a bolide, which originates from exploding meteors.
Meteorite hunters soon arrived in the area, searching for charcoal briquettes – fresh, black fusion crusts that form around fragments during their brief flight through the atmosphere. Steven Dixey recovered two beautiful stony meteorites from the fall, both of which shattered upon impact.
The fallen meteorite is thought to be a low-metal ordinary chondrite, but its exact type cannot be determined yet. The event is not directly related to the Beta Taurid meteor shower, although it may be possible that the meteorite is an asteroid fragment.
Source: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/exploding-fireball-drops-meteorites-over-georgia