{
  "abstract": "Metre-scale impactors connect near-Earth-object dynamics, atmospheric-entry physics and meteorite delivery, but their pre-impact orbits and material properties are rarely measured together, especially for daylight events. We report observations of the 30 May 2026 Cape Cod Bay bolide. A very high frequency (VHF) meteor radar network detected atmospheric-entry plasma, weather radars detected falling meteorites, and infrasound sensors recorded the associated hypervelocity shock. VHF radar range--Doppler measurements resolve the meteor head echo from about 90 to 71 km altitude, while interferometric measurements localize short-lived non-specular plasma wake echoes down to an unusually low altitude of $\\sim 30$ km. We identify this as the radar terminus, where breakup is expected to occur. A combined head-echo and trail fit constrains a steep southeastward trajectory over coastal Massachusetts. Weather-radar detections refine the dark-flight solution, place the likely fall region in Cape Cod Bay and constrain probable fragment sizes. Backward propagation of the fitted trajectory gives a heliocentric orbit near the cometary--asteroidal classification boundaries, with conflicting classifications from empirical dynamical criteria. Catalogue comparisons identify no convincing parent body or established meteor-shower association. Regional infrasound independently supports the terminal fragmentation region and yields an energy estimate of 0.5 kt TNT equivalent. The radar and dark-flight evidence are consistent with a dense, mechanically strong meteoroid, possibly iron-rich. The combination of meteor-radar plasma tracking, weather-radar observations of falling meteorites and infrasound measurements can provide accurate orbital elements and trace large meteoroids from atmospheric entry to nearly ground impact.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.24566",
  "author_total": 13,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Juha Vierinen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ryan Volz"
    },
    {
      "name": "Marc Fries"
    },
    {
      "name": "Elizabeth A. Silber"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sarah Albert"
    },
    {
      "name": "Philip J. Erickson"
    },
    {
      "name": "Matthias Clahsen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Frank D. Lind"
    },
    {
      "name": "Nico Pfeffer"
    },
    {
      "name": "John Swoboda"
    },
    {
      "name": "Allan Weatherwax"
    },
    {
      "name": "Simon G. Shepherd"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jorge L. Chau"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8xd1fs15ps3dt.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.24566",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "8xd1fs15ps3dt",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.24566",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.EP"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.IM"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3103|Astro and Planetary Science"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223067944",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.24566",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-17",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8xd1fs15ps3dt.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:30:52Z",
      "native_id": "2610.24566",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.24566"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.IM",
      "subfield": "instrumentation-methods"
    },
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.EP",
      "subfield": "planetary"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Radar and Infrasound Observations of the 2026 May 30 Cape Cod Bay Superbolide",
  "title_text": "Radar and Infrasound Observations of the 2026 May 30 Cape Cod Bay Superbolide",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:33:41Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8xd1fs15ps3dt",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}