India, June 2 -- What many residents across New England initially mistook for an earthquake, a falling tree or something even more unusual was actually a meteor exploding high above the northeastern United States.

NASA later confirmed the cause of the mysterious booms and on Monday released more details about the event, which rattled homes and was heard across parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

The meteor measured about 5 feet (1.52 metres) across, weighed roughly as much as an elephant, and was travelling at an estimated 42,000 mph (67,592.5 kph) when it entered the atmosphere, said NASA, according to a report by The Associated Press.

According to NASA, the meteor travelled about 26 miles (41.8 kilometres) through...