SAN FRANCISCO -- A loud boom heard across eastern Massachusetts and other parts of the US Northeast on Saturday afternoon was likely caused by a meteor entering the atmosphere and producing a sonic boom, according to US media reports.

People are reporting that a "loud boom" has rocked Boston and Rhode Island - this is a breaking story

A 'loud boom' was reported across Boston and parts of Rhode Island on Saturday, with meteorologists saying it was caused by a meteor

A spectacular meteor explosion lit up the skies off the Massachusetts coast Saturday afternoon, unleashing a powerful sonic boom felt across the state and even into Rhode Island. …

Some Facebook users in Massachusetts said the boom even shook their homes