After a wave of viral posts sparked panic across social media, NASA has officially shut down a bizarre theory claiming that Earth would lose gravity for seven seconds on August 12, 2026.
The rumor began with what was described online as a “leaked” NASA document called Project Anchor, which allegedly warned of a brief global loss of gravity that could lead to mass chaos, infrastructure damage, and millions of deaths. The claim quickly spread on Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), with some posts suggesting people, cars, and buildings would float into the air before crashing back down.
Fortunately, none of this is true.
What NASA Actually Says
NASA directly addressed the rumor in a statement to fact-checking website Snopes, making it clear that Earth’s gravity is not going anywhere.
According to the space agency, Earth’s gravity depends on its mass. For gravity to suddenly disappear, the planet would have to lose a massive amount of its physical matter—something that is scientifically impossible under current conditions.
NASA also explained that events such as solar eclipses do not affect Earth’s gravity. While the Sun and Moon influence ocean tides, they do not change the planet’s overall gravitational pull.
In short: Earth will not lose gravity on August 12, 2026—or any other day.
How the Rumor Spread
One viral post claimed that during the supposed seven-second gravity loss:
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Objects and people would float several stories into the air
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Panic would spread worldwide
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Gravity would suddenly return, causing everything to crash down
The post even listed a fictional budget and timeline for “Project Anchor,” adding to the illusion that the theory was real. However, investigators found no evidence that such a project ever existed.
The Bottom Line
NASA and independent fact-checkers have confirmed that the claim is completely false. While space science can be fascinating—and sometimes surprising—this rumor shows how quickly misinformation can spread online.
Before believing or sharing alarming claims, experts recommend checking reliable sources such as NASA, major science organizations, or trusted news outlets.
Earth’s gravity is stable, predictable, and here to stay.
