GOES-19 GLM signature of a bolide over eastern Massachusetts
GOES-19 Visible image at 1806 UTC, with an overlay of 1-minute GOES-19 GLM Flash Extent Density and GLM Flash Points from 1806-1808 UTC on 30 May [click to enlarge]
A CONUS Sector GOES-19 (GOES-East) Visible image with overlays of 1-minute GLM Flash Extent Density and GLM Flash Points (above) showed the signature of a high-altitude bolide that was entering the Earth’s upper atmosphere over far eastern Massachusetts at 1807 UTC on 30 May 2026. This bolide created a sonic boom that was heard in several communities.
Cursor samples (below) indicated that the maximum GLM Flash Extent Density values were 7 flashes/min (darker red pixels within the northern portion of the bolide signature), and a flash duration of 0.024 sec with a flash area of 67 km2.
Cursor sample of the maximum GOES-19 GLM Flash Extent Density value at 1807 UTC on 30 May [click to enlarge]
Cursor sample of the GOES-19 GLM Flash Point values at 1807 UTC on 30 May [click to enlarge]
A map of fireball reports from the American Meteor Society site (below) displayed the large area from which this daytime event was seen. A closer view indicated that the bolide likely traveled along a northwest-to-southeast trajectory.
Map of fireball reports on 30 May [click to enlarge]