Watch: Moment a meteor creates sonic boom over Massachusetts

A meteor exploded off the coast of Massachusetts, causing a loud boom on 30 May. Nasa said the energy released when the meteor broke up was equivalent to about 300 tons of TNT.

Most meteors burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere, but larger objects can occasionally survive long enough to create the brilliant fireballs and booming shock waves that grab people's attention.

CBS News, the BBC's US partner, reported that NASA said in a statement: "The meteor appears to have fragmented at an altitude of 40 miles over northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire".

According to Nasa, the meteor fell into the waters of Cape Cod Bay. There were no reported injuries.