The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has dismissed a viral conspiracy theory claiming that Earth will temporarily lose gravity for seven seconds on August 12 at 14:33 GMT.
The claim spread rapidly across social media platforms, where posts warned of mass panic, widespread injuries, and even the deaths of millions due to people falling during a brief “gravity blackout.”
What the Conspiracy Theory Claimed
According to the viral posts, Earth’s gravity would supposedly vanish because of gravitational disturbances caused by colliding black holes.
Some users also alleged that NASA was aware of the event but chose to hide it from the public.
The theory further claimed that the information came from a leaked NASA document linked to an alleged secret initiative called “Project Anchor,” which was said to have a budget of $89 billion.
NASA Says the Claim Is Scientifically Impossible
NASA has firmly rejected all parts of the claim, stating that no such event is expected to occur and that the theory reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of gravity.
Fact-checking outlet Snopes quoted a NASA spokesperson as saying:
“The Earth will not lose its gravity on August 12, 2026. Earth’s gravity is determined by its mass.”
The spokesperson added that Earth could only lose gravity if it somehow lost all of its mass, including:
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The core
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The mantle and crust
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The atmosphere
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All oceans and surface water
Such a scenario is scientifically impossible under known laws of physics.
No Evidence of “Project Anchor”
NASA has also denied the existence of any program named Project Anchor and said there is no leaked document supporting the claim.
Despite official denials, some social media users continued to speculate, arguing that the presence of a specific date, project name, and budget made the story seem credible. However, experts note that fabricated details are commonly used in online hoaxes to make false claims appear authentic.
Why Gravity Cannot Suddenly Turn Off
Scientists explain that gravity is not something that can be switched off or disrupted briefly by distant cosmic events.
Even powerful phenomena such as black hole collisions, which occur billions of light-years away, do not affect Earth’s gravitational field in any measurable way.
Earth’s gravity remains stable because it is directly linked to the planet’s mass, which does not change suddenly or temporarily.
Misinformation Continues to Spread Online
NASA said viral claims like this highlight how quickly scientific misinformation can spread, especially when dramatic predictions and precise timestamps are attached.
Experts advise the public to rely on verified scientific sources and space agencies rather than unverified social media posts when it comes to astronomical events.
