🚨 "Earth will lose gravity on August 12!" This shocking prediction swept across social media worldwide. A leaked NASA document? 40 million casualties? Turns out it's complete scientific nonsense. Here's how this hoax spread and why physics says it's impossible.
The Viral "Zero Gravity" Prediction That Swept Social Media
On December 31, 2025, an Instagram user posted a video that would soon capture global attention. The claim: "On August 12, 2026, at 14:33 UTC, Earth will lose gravity for 7 seconds."
According to this rumor, NASA has been secretly running "Project Anchor" with an $89 billion budget. The gravity loss would allegedly cause 40-60 million casualties, but NASA chose to stay silent to prevent mass panic.
The post garnered over 62,000 likes and was shared more than 268,000 times on Instagram alone. It then spread to TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, 4chan, and numerous other platforms worldwide, including Japanese social media and occult-themed websites.
NASA's Official Response: "Earth Will Not Lose Gravity"
NASA has officially debunked the rumor with a clear statement.
A NASA spokesperson declared: "The Earth will not lose gravity on August 12, 2026." They further explained: "Earth's gravity, or total gravitational force, is determined by its mass. The only way for the Earth to lose gravity would be for the Earth system—the combined mass of its core, mantle, crust, ocean, terrestrial water, and atmosphere—to lose mass."
Fact-checking organization Snopes conducted an extensive investigation and found zero evidence that "Project Anchor" exists. Searches across Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo revealed no credible reports of any document leak in November 2024.
Why August 12 Was Chosen
Interestingly, August 12, 2026, does feature an actual astronomical event: a total solar eclipse visible from Greenland, Spain, and Russia.
This choice was likely deliberate. Linking eclipses to doomsday predictions is an ancient practice, seen in the 2012 Mayan calendar phenomenon and the 1999 Nostradamus predictions. Conspiracy theorists have long exploited celestial events to add credibility to their claims.
However, NASA clarifies: "Solar eclipses have no effect on Earth's gravity. The gravitational interaction between the Sun and Moon does affect Earth, but this manifests as tidal forces—a well-understood phenomenon that poses no danger."
The Physics: Why "Gravity Loss" Is Impossible
The rumor claims that "two gravitational waves from black holes intersecting will eliminate gravity." This is scientifically absurd for several reasons.
First, gravitational waves are extraordinarily weak. When LIGO first detected gravitational waves in 2015, the amplitude was less than one-thousandth the diameter of an atomic nucleus. These waves cannot possibly affect Earth's gravitational field.
Second, gravitational waves travel at the speed of light. Predicting their arrival at a specific date and time years in advance is impossible. No technology exists in gravitational wave astronomy to forecast black hole mergers with second-level precision.
Most fundamentally, gravity is a consequence of mass existing. According to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, "turning off" gravity would require eliminating Earth's mass entirely.
What Would Actually Happen If Gravity Disappeared?
The hoax described people floating 1-2 seconds after gravity vanishes, rising 15-20 meters by seconds 3-4, then falling when gravity returns at 7 seconds. This scenario also contradicts physics.
Newton's First Law of Motion states that objects remain at rest unless acted upon by an external force. Without gravity, you wouldn't automatically float upward—you'd stay exactly where you are unless you pushed off from something.
If gravity truly disappeared, the actual consequence would be Earth's immediate destruction. Our planet maintains its spherical shape through its own gravity. Without it, Earth would instantly disintegrate, and the atmosphere would dissipate into space.
The Social Media Mechanics Behind the Hoax
This incident highlights the dangers of information spread in the social media age.
The original Instagram account "@mr_danya_of" was deleted within days of posting. Anonymous, irresponsible content creation enabled a global misinformation event—a textbook case of viral deception.
The use of specific numbers—"$89 billion," "94.7% probability," "14:33 UTC"—was a clever manipulation tactic. By adding scientific-sounding details, the creator made the claim feel credible to many viewers.
Japan experienced similar issues in 2025 when a "July 5 catastrophe" prediction spread from overseas, causing actual flight cancellations from Hong Kong. The social costs of believing baseless predictions are far from trivial.
Conclusion: Scientific Literacy in the Age of Viral Misinformation
In conclusion, the "Earth loses gravity for 7 seconds on August 12" rumor is completely false. NASA's secret "Project Anchor" doesn't exist, and the claim that gravitational waves can eliminate gravity violates fundamental physics.
The only astronomical event on August 12, 2026, is a total solar eclipse, which has absolutely no effect on Earth's gravity.
When encountering sensational claims on social media, take a moment to ask: "Why would this happen?" and "What's the scientific basis?" Enjoying the intrigue of mysterious stories and distinguishing fact from fiction can coexist.
How does your country handle science-related hoaxes that spread through social media? Have you experienced similar conspiracy theories going viral? We'd love to hear about your experiences and perspectives on dealing with misinformation in your part of the world.
References
- https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nasa-project-anchor-earth-gravity/
- https://www.iflscience.com/heard-the-rumor-earth-will-lose-gravity-for-7-seconds-on-august-12-2026-heres-why-its-rubbish-82248
- https://www.gizmodo.jp/2026/01/no-earth-wont-lose-gravity-for-7-seconds-on-august-12-nasa-says.html
- https://tocana.jp/2026/01/post_290732_entry.html
- https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/
Reactions in Japan
If you paid attention in physics class, you'd know gravitational waves can't make gravity disappear. Can't believe people fall for this kind of hoax.
Honestly, I was a bit startled when I first saw it. The fact that there's an eclipse on August 12 made it seem oddly real... But thinking about it, 'NASA cover-up' is classic conspiracy theory stuff.
$89 billion, 94.7% probability, 14:33 UTC... Listing specific numbers is a classic hoax tactic. They exploit the psychology that people trust specific numbers.
I was just looking forward to the August 12 total eclipse, but this weird rumor ruined it. Eclipses are wonderful celestial shows—why do people have to link them to this stuff?
My kid saw this video on YouTube and asked if it was real. I took it as a chance to explain scientifically, but as a parent, I'm concerned about the influence of such hoaxes.
As an occult fan, it's an interesting topic, but this one is too sloppy. Needs more effort to have any romance to it lol
I'm a physics teacher. Used this incident as material for class. It made for great teaching material to have students think about 'why we know this is a hoax.'
Just like the 'July 5 catastrophe' hoax last year, Japan is too vulnerable to overseas misinformation. Things that trend in English-speaking countries arrive here with a few days' delay.
If you knew how precise the instruments needed to detect gravitational waves are, you'd never believe this hoax. People underestimate LIGO's technology.
This came up in my mom friends' group, and some were genuinely worried. I told them to calm down, but I understand the anxiety.
Some occult media covered this sensationally—they could at least add 'scientifically impossible' somewhere. So irresponsible.
Float 15-20m in 7 seconds... ignoring the law of inertia lol. Even without gravity, you'd just stay in place if you don't do anything.
Nostradamus in 1999, Mayan calendar in 2012... doomsday predictions come periodically. And nothing ever happens. Does humanity ever learn?
Saw this spreading on Instagram, comments flooded with 'Is this real?' and 'Scary.' Made me realize how important media literacy education is.
Relieved to see NASA officially deny it, but it's ridiculous that NASA even had to bother denying something like this.
These would be fine as jokes, but some people genuinely panic. Last year's July 5 hoax even caused Hong Kong flight cancellations.
This hoax spread in America too. The problem is, even when NASA denies it, some say 'that proves it.' Conspiracy theorists tend to believe more strongly when denied.
Many in France are looking forward to the August 12 total eclipse. It's sad that such a ridiculous rumor tarnishes a wonderful astronomical event.
Similar hoaxes spread in Mexico too. The problem is lack of science education about gravitational waves. Schools should teach more astronomy.
As a physicist, saying gravitational waves can eliminate gravity is like saying radio waves can eliminate radios. It makes absolutely no sense.
Saw this on UK social media too. The $89 billion budget seemed suspiciously specific. If it were a real NASA project, there'd be more information available.
This rumor was talked about in Dubai too. Interesting how 'government hiding something' resonates globally. People everywhere suspect the same things.
This was discussed in Singapore tech forums. Interesting that classic hoaxes like this remain effective even as AI-generated fake news increases.
In Poland, actual climate change is far more concerning than such hoaxes. People look away from real worries and fear impossible doomsday predictions.
In Sweden, good science literacy education means few people took this rumor seriously. Really shows the importance of education.
This became a topic in Oman too. Grandparents' generation tends to believe such stories, but younger people fact-check immediately. I feel the generational gap.
This spread in Korea too. Interesting how details slightly changed as it was translated into Korean. Like a game of telephone.
This became big on Brazilian social media too. Conspiracy theories here easily connect to politics, sometimes used in factional disputes as 'leftist plot' or 'rightist plot.'
I'm Japanese living in Australia. It was discussed here too, but many Australians reacted dismissively like 'another American-originated hoax.'
In Argentina, economic crisis is a far more realistic threat, so many people can't afford to worry about doomsday predictions. Ironic, really.
In Vietnam, such social media hoaxes can be used to criticize government or stir social unrest, so authorities are vigilant. Information literacy education is urgently needed.