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Astronomers: Meteor Caused Calif., Nevada Explosion

It rattled windows from Sacramento to Reno yesterday morning

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2012 5:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – No need to panic: That loud explosion heard early yesterday morning around large parts of California and Nevada? It was likely just a ... meteor, say astronomers. The mysterious explosion rattled windows and shook houses from Sacramento to Reno, causing residents throughout the region to phone police. Some people also reported seeing a fireball right around 8am. One astronomer tells the AP that the meteor likely broke up somewhere over the Sierra southwest of Reno.

Astronomers say a loud explosion heard around much of California and Nevada was most likely a meteor.
Astronomers say a loud explosion heard around much of California and Nevada was most likely a meteor.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Scaramouche
Apr 23, 2012 10:40 AM CDT
WOOHOO! My ride's here, folks. See yas!
Rational.-Anarchist
Apr 23, 2012 8:01 AM CDT
This is a warning to California of things to come.
myflap.blow
Apr 23, 2012 6:59 AM CDT
Listen to the police radio afterwards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93bUl2lGVeQ No need to panic???  They heard TWO sonic booms, signature of a long, tail-finned object- like a missile. And how convenient right when there's a meteor shower! I stood outside looking up for a while and didn't see a damn thing! This is obviously a top secret intercontinental missile test people! Start preparing for the worst now!!! It had to be some kind of prototype population-culling human-vaporizing nuclear-devastating... oh psyche, i'm just kidding. We all know it was just a plain ol everyday space rock. And besides, they wouldn't ever lie to us. ...right?
 

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