Will Earth Really Lose Gravity for 7 Seconds on August 12?

NASA has officially debunked viral claims suggesting that Earth will experience a loss of gravity for seven seconds on August 12, 2026. The rumor, which circulated widely on social media, also falsely referenced a secret NASA initiative called “Project Anchor,” allegedly funded with $89 billion to build underground bunkers for survival. NASA clarified that the Earth will not lose gravity on that date, dismissing the conspiracy theory entirely.

However, NASA confirmed that a notable astronomical event will occur on August 12, 2026: a total solar eclipse. During this event, the Moon will perfectly align with the Sun, temporarily obscuring it in certain regions. Officials emphasized that this alignment is completely safe and does not threaten Earth’s stability.

NASA explained that Earth’s gravity is determined by its mass, including the planet’s core, mantle, crust, oceans, and atmosphere. While the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon influences tides, it does not affect the total gravitational force of Earth. The only way Earth could “lose gravity” would be if its overall mass were somehow reduced, which is not happening.

In other space-related news, a recent strong solar storm produced visible northern lights at lower latitudes and may have caused minor technological disruptions, but this phenomenon is unrelated to the viral gravity hoax.