The internet has once again become a battleground for science fiction. At the beginning of the year, a rumor spread rapidly online: allegedly, on August 12, 2026, Earth will completely lose its gravity for seven seconds. This, they say, will lead to mass casualties. What’s more, NASA is already spending an astronomical $89 billion of taxpayer money on the mysterious Project Anchor to combat the consequences. The conspiracy theory became so widespread that people even stopped listening to scientists who claimed that it was impossible. Therefore, the space agency was forced to intervene to calm the audience.
Official denial
A NASA representative gave a comprehensive response to fact-checkers, calling this theory complete nonsense. “The Earth will not lose its gravity because it is directly related to the planet’s mass,” the spokesperson said.
For gravity to disappear, Earth would have to suddenly lose all its mass — from its core to its atmosphere. If this were to happen, problems would begin well before the hypothetical date, and they would be much more serious long before gravity was completely lost.
Where do such myths come from?
The rumor seems to have arisen from a combination of two facts: a real astronomical phenomenon — the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026 — and a misunderstanding of physics. The Sun and Moon actually create tidal forces, but these have a minimal effect on the Earth’s surface and are entirely predictable. These forces cannot possibly “turn off” the planet’s global gravity.
What should you really pay attention to?
So, we won’t be experiencing seven seconds of weightlessness. But a total solar eclipse is a real and exciting event. NASA emphasizes that it is important to observe it as safely as possible. You can only look at the Sun without special protective glasses for a brief moment during the total phase, when the Moon completely covers the solar disk. As soon as even the smallest edge of the Sun appears, you must immediately use eye protection.
This story is a vivid example of how confusion over basic scientific concepts can give rise to large-scale hoaxes. Gravity is a fundamental and constant property of our planet, and the main cosmic show in August is not its disappearance, but an impressive eclipse that is well worth watching.
Earlier, we reported on the top five absurd space myths that people still believe in.
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