A false claim spreading online says that Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds on August 12, 2026, causing millions of deaths. Scientists and NASA have clearly denied this, calling it misinformation linked to a normal space event.
About the Viral Claim
Social media posts claim that on August 12, 2026, at exactly 14:33 GMT, Earth's gravity will disappear for seven seconds. According to these posts, people would float into the air, fall back down, and around 40 million people could die. Some posts also warn of major damage to buildings and a long global economic crisis.
The claim has gained attention because a solar eclipse is also expected on August 12, making people more curious and worried. Some users say the information comes from a secret NASA document called Project Anchor, which they claim was leaked in November 2024. However, no such document has been proven to exist.
One of the earliest posts came from an Instagram user, who said the event would be caused by gravitational waves from colliding black holes. Experts say this idea is not scientifically possible.
What NASA and Scientists Say
NASA has firmly rejected the claim. A NASA spokesperson told fact-checking website Snopes that Earth's gravity will not disappear on August 12, 2026, or on any other day. NASA explained that gravity depends on Earth's mass, and this mass cannot suddenly change.
Dr William Alston, a black hole expert from the University of Hertfordshire, also dismissed the claim. He said gravitational waves are extremely weak and can only be detected using very sensitive instruments. They are far too weak to affect Earth or its gravity.
Scientists say the only way Earth could lose gravity is if its total mass, including the core, land, oceans, and atmosphere,suddenly vanished, which is impossible. Experts have warned people not to believe or share unverified claims found on social media.