NASA Rejects Viral Gravity Loss Claim

News Desk 

Islamabad: A viral social media claim predicting a seven-second loss of gravity on August 12 has been dismissed by NASA, which says there is no scientific basis for the so-called “Project Anchor” theory.

The claim has circulated widely on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram ahead of the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse. Posts promoting the theory allege that Earth would experience a temporary “gravity blackout” at 14:33 UTC, potentially causing widespread falls, structural damage and other catastrophic consequences.

NASA has rejected the allegation, explaining that Earth’s gravity is linked to the planet’s mass and cannot simply switch off because of a solar eclipse or another celestial event.

The agency also said there would be no unusual gravitational effects associated with the eclipse. There is no evidence that NASA has a project called “Project Anchor” or that any official document predicting a gravity blackout was leaked.

Fact-checkers have likewise found no credible evidence supporting the story, suggesting that the claim originated from repeated social media posts rather than an authentic scientific source.

The misinformation has gained traction by combining a genuine astronomical event with a fictional scenario involving a secret government project and an apocalyptic outcome.

The August 12 eclipse is expected to provide a major astronomical spectacle across parts of Europe and North America, while the Perseid meteor shower is also reaching its peak this week.

For those watching the sky, scientists say the real celestial events offer plenty to observe—but there is no impending loss of Earth’s gravity.