A viral social media theory warning that Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds on August 12, 2026, has caused widespread alarm online — but scientists and NASA confirm the claims are false.
False Claims Spark Panic
Posts circulating on X and other platforms insist that at 14:33 GMT on the date, people and objects will float before crashing back to the ground, with some versions claiming up to 40 million deaths, infrastructure collapse, and a global economic crisis.
The posts also allege a secret NASA initiative, “Project Anchor,” with $89 billion allocated to prepare for the supposed disaster. However, no verified evidence or official documentation supports the existence of such a program.
Why August 12, 2026, Became a Focus
The date coincides with a real astronomical event: a total solar eclipse. Conspiracy-driven narratives often attach themselves to legitimate celestial events to gain credibility and stir fear.
Eclipses naturally draw public curiosity, making the misinformation appear plausible to some social media users.
NASA Confirms: Gravity Will Not Disappear
A NASA spokesperson told Snopes:
“The Earth will not lose gravity on 12 August, 2026. Earth’s gravity, or total gravitational force, is determined by its mass… A total solar eclipse has no unusual impact on Earth’s gravity.”
Scientists explain that gravity exists because of Earth’s mass — its core, mantle, crust, oceans, and atmosphere. For gravity to vanish, the planet would have to lose an immense portion of its material, an impossibility under known physical laws.
“Gravity is not a switch that can be toggled on and off,” experts emphasize.
Hypothetical Consequences Are Catastrophic
While hypothetically, a sudden disappearance of gravity would cause devastation — with buildings, oceans, vehicles, and even the atmosphere destabilized — there is no natural or human-made process capable of triggering such an event.
What Will Actually Happen
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will occur. During this event, the Moon will pass directly between the Earth and Sun, temporarily blocking sunlight in specific areas.
The eclipse is predictable, well-studied, and poses no risk to Earth’s gravity or safety.
Social media users are urged to exercise caution and rely on credible scientific sources when interpreting astronomical events.
