Meteor rattles parts of New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A meteor entering the Earth's atmosphere Tuesday produced an extremely loud sonic boom over Christchurch, New Zealand.

Astronomers say it was not immediately determined whether the meteor rebounded into space or broke up and crashed to Earth, Television New Zealand reported.

Scientists say the sonic boom was so powerful it shook buildings and registered on seismographs. Police agencies told TVNZ hundreds of people reported seeing the meteor as it traveled across the mid-afternoon sky.