Radar and Infrasound Observations of the 2026 May 30 Cape Cod Bay Superbolide

arXiv:2610.24566 · astro-ph.EP, astro-ph.IM · Submitted 2026-10-17 · Read on arXiv

astro-ph.EP, astro-ph.IM

Submitted: 2026-10-17

Updated: 2026-10-17

Comments: 24 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to The Astronomical Journal

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The gist: Metre-scale impactors connect near-Earth-object dynamics, atmospheric-entry physics and meteorite delivery, but their pre-impact orbits and material properties are rarely measured together,

Abstract

Metre-scale impactors connect near-Earth-object dynamics, atmospheric-entry physics and meteorite delivery, but their pre-impact orbits and material properties are rarely measured together, especially for daylight events. We report observations of the 30 May 2026 Cape Cod Bay bolide. A very high frequency (VHF) meteor radar network detected atmospheric-entry plasma, weather radars detected falling meteorites, and infrasound sensors recorded the associated hypervelocity shock. VHF radar range--Doppler measurements resolve the meteor head echo from about 90 to 71 km altitude, while interferometric measurements localize short-lived non-specular plasma wake echoes down to an unusually low altitude of about 30 km. We identify this as the radar terminus, where breakup is expected to occur. A combined head-echo and trail fit constrains a steep southeastward trajectory over coastal Massachusetts. Weather-radar detections refine the dark-flight solution, place the likely fall region in Cape Cod Bay and constrain probable fragment sizes. Backward propagation of the fitted trajectory gives a heliocentric orbit near the cometary--asteroidal classification boundaries, with conflicting classifications from empirical dynamical criteria. Catalogue comparisons identify no convincing parent body or established meteor-shower association. Regional infrasound independently supports the terminal fragmentation region and yields an energy estimate of 0.5 kt TNT equivalent. The radar and dark-flight evidence are consistent with a dense, mechanically strong meteoroid, possibly iron-rich. The combination of meteor-radar plasma tracking, weather-radar observations of falling meteorites and infrasound measurements can provide accurate orbital elements and trace large meteoroids from atmospheric entry to nearly ground impact.

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