For a few confusing moments on Saturday afternoon, residents across parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire were left wondering what had just happened.

Some described hearing a loud boom that echoed across the area. Others said their homes shook unexpectedly.

As reports began appearing on social media, people searched for answers. Was it an explosion? An earthquake? Some kind of aircraft incident?

The explanation turned out to be far more unusual. According to NASA, a meteor travelling at around 120,000 kilometres per hour entered Earth’s atmosphere and broke apart above the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border at 2.06pm local time on 30 May. The event produced a powerful shockwave that was heard across a wide area and startled residents on the ground.

Although dramatic, the space agency says the object posed no threat to the public.

Why so many people heard the blast

Most meteors burn up in the atmosphere without attracting much attention.

This one was large enough to produce what astronomers call a fireball, a particularly bright meteor that can generate a powerful shockwave when it fragments.

NASA estimates that the energy released when the object broke apart was equivalent to roughly 300 tonnes of TNT.

That figure helps explain why residents reported such a strong boom.

Across social media, people shared similar experiences. Some said windows rattled. Others reported feeling vibrations inside their homes. Several described being startled by the sudden noise, especially as there had been no obvious warning beforehand.

The event happened in daylight, making it even more surprising for many people who were simply going about their normal Saturday afternoon when the boom occurred.

While the sound caused concern, experts stress that the meteor disintegrated high in the atmosphere.

The noise heard on the ground came from the shockwave created when the object fragmented during its passage through the sky.

NASA says it was a natural meteor and not space debris

Following events like this, one of the first questions often concerns the object’s origin.

NASA quickly clarified that the fireball was a natural meteor. The agency also stated that it was not linked to any active meteor shower and was not caused by the re-entry of a satellite or other human made space debris.

That distinction is important because objects returning from orbit can sometimes create bright streaks across the sky and attract similar attention.

In this case, however, researchers concluded that the object was a naturally occurring piece of space rock entering Earth’s atmosphere.

The clarification helped answer speculation that had begun circulating online shortly after the boom was heard.

Why events like this remain relatively rare

Every day, Earth encounters material from space.

Most of it is tiny.In many cases, these objects are no larger than grains of dust and burn up harmlessly before anyone notices.

Larger meteors are far less common.

When they enter the atmosphere at high speed and begin to break apart, they can create spectacular fireballs visible across large areas. Under certain conditions, they can also generate shockwaves powerful enough to be heard many kilometres away.

That appears to be what happened over New England on Saturday.Scientists study these events because they provide valuable information about the objects moving through our solar system and how they behave when they encounter Earth’s atmosphere.

For residents who heard the blast, though, the scientific explanation came later.

At the time, many were simply trying to understand why a peaceful afternoon had suddenly been interrupted by a boom loud enough to shake houses and send people searching for answers.

Within a few hours, NASA had provided the explanation. The source was not on the ground at all.

It had travelled through space before ending its journey high above Massachusetts and New Hampshire in a brief but dramatic burst of light and energy.

Drivers on the Costa del Sol will have to prepare for much higher AP-7 toll charges starting Monday, June 1 as the special summer rates take effect.

Patricia Navarro, president of the Popular Party in Malaga, has described the adjustment as an “infernal price hike” and demanded action from the Spanish government.

Full journey costs increase

Users completing the full route from Fuengirola to Manilva will pay €19.55 instead of the previous €12 during the peak period.

Navarro warned that the Spanish government has already increased its toll revenue by 10 per cent, raising collections from €30 million to €35 million over just two years. She insists this extra money should return to Malaga province to offer discounts for regular AP-7 users rather than disappear elsewhere.

Political demands grow louder

Navarro criticised the current situation in which funds fail to support local needs such as improvements to the congested A-7 road or construction of a third lane between San Pedro Alcantara and Puerto Banus. She called on the government led by Sanchez to stop squeezing residents in this way especially now that the high tourist season begins.

Details at each toll booth

Drivers can expect the following prices for light vehicles at the main toll points along the Costa del Sol stretch of the AP-7. All figures include VAT and show the change from normal season to special summer rates.

Special summer rates will be in place for the whole of June, July, August and September. The full list of prices can be found at autopistsdelsol.com and includes commercial vehicles too.

Advice for regular users

People who travel the AP-7 often can reduce their costs through the Via-T electronic payment system. Discounts increase with the number of journeys completed each month and may even allow some loyal users to keep normal rates year-round.

All drivers should check their exact route costs in advance using the official Autopista del Sol calculator to avoid surprise charges at the booths.

Navarro repeated her call for the government to direct toll income towards practical help for Malaga residents instead of allowing the pressure on motorists to continue unchecked.

Anyone planning journeys between towns in the Costa del Sol area during the coming months needs to budget for these higher tolls or consider alternative routes where possible.

Motorists face this change every year with the arrival of peak tourist season, yet many still get caught out by the sudden jump. Regular commuters who use the road daily for work or family visits will notice the biggest impact on their budgets over the next four months. Families heading out for day trips or holidays along the coast should factor in the extra expense when planning travel between Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona and further west to Manilva.

Princess Leonor has attended the Día de las Fuerzas Armadas (Armed Forces arade) for the first time alongside King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, appearing with her father during the national military parade held in Vigo on Saturday May 30.

The event, which brings together Spain’s armed forces each year in a different city, was presided over by King Felipe VI and marked a significant moment in the public military role of the Princess of Asturias, who is currently completing her military training.

Leonor joined the Royal Family on the tribune and took part in the official programme as the parade unfolded along the Galician city’s waterfront, where thousands of service personnel were deployed.

First participation in a major military ceremony

This was the first time Princess Leonor has attended the central Día de las Fuerzas Armadas parade alongside the King, making it her most prominent appearance to date in a national military ceremony of this scale. According to official reporting, she attended as part of her ongoing military instruction, which has included training across the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Her presence had been confirmed shortly before the event following an adjustment to the Royal Household’s schedule. The King and Queen were accompanied by their daughter during the tribune ceremony, where they observed the march-past of military units and equipment. Leonor is expected to continue participating in major institutional events as part of her preparation for her future role as Commander-in-Chief.

Large-scale military display in Vigo

The parade was part of a programme of defence activities held in Vigo over several days. More than 3,700 personnel took part, supported by units from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Guardia Civil and the Military Emergency Unit.

The display included infantry formations, cavalry units, military vehicles and coordinated marching groups. A naval and aerial programme had also been planned as part of the wider celebrations, reflecting the operational capabilities of the armed forces.

Large crowds gathered along the waterfront to watch the procession, which began in the morning under overcast conditions. The city had hosted several related demonstrations in the days leading up to the main parade, including naval and amphibious exercises.

Weather disruption and cancellation of aerial display

The event was affected by adverse weather conditions, which led to the cancellation of the scheduled aerial display. The decision was taken shortly before the parade began due to safety concerns linked to cloud cover and wind conditions.

As a result, the planned flypast by aircraft formations and parachute units did not take place. The cancellation was communicated during the event, with the ground parade continuing as scheduled.

Despite the disruption, the ground procession proceeded without alteration, with military units maintaining the planned route and timings.

Incident during flag ceremony

A separate incident occurred during the flag-raising ceremony at the start of the event when the national flag fell to the ground after a technical failure in the hoisting mechanism. Reports from the scene indicate that the malfunction was caused by a mechanical issue with the mast system.

The incident prompted an immediate response from organisers, and the King later instructed that the ceremony continue with an alternative flag display from the Guardia Real in order to maintain the formal sequence of the event.

The moment drew attention from attendees and was visible during the live broadcast of the ceremony.

Significance of Leonor’s role

Princess Leonor’s presence at the parade is seen as part of her gradual integration into official military duties. As heir to the throne, she is expected to assume the role of Supreme Commander of the Spanish Armed Forces in the future, following the constitutional role held by the monarch.

Her participation in Vigo follows previous appearances at other national military events, including the National Day parade in Madrid. However, the Vigo ceremony represents her first attendance at the Día de las Fuerzas Armadas alongside King Felipe VI during a full-scale national parade outside the capital.

Officials present included the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, and senior military commanders responsible for coordinating the event.

Final take 

The Día de las Fuerzas Armadas in Vigo combined large-scale military participation with ceremonial significance for the Royal Family. While the event was disrupted by weather conditions and a technical failure during the flag ceremony, it also marked a notable step in Princess Leonor’s public military role, as she appeared for the first time alongside King Felipe VI at the national parade in this context.