NASA has confirmed that a loud boom heard and felt across parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning was caused by a meteor streaking through the atmosphere.

The meteor, weighing approximately 7 tons and traveling at 45,000 miles per hour, created a bright flash as it moved across the sky over multiple states. The event generated a thunderous sound that was widely reported by residents in the affected areas.

Many residents initially feared the sound was an explosion, according to local reports. The boom was significant enough to rattle homes and prompt numerous calls to authorities as people sought to understand the source of the noise.

Meteors entering Earth's atmosphere typically create sonic booms when they break the sound barrier during their high-speed descent. The size and speed of Tuesday's meteor made it particularly notable, as most meteors that reach the atmosphere are much smaller and often burn up completely without creating such dramatic effects.

NASA's confirmation helped alleviate concerns among residents who had been uncertain about the cause of the mysterious boom that shook their communities Tuesday morning.