World3 min(s) read
A bizarre conspiracy theory claiming the Earth will suddenly lose gravity for several seconds has been spreading across social media for months, but NASA has firmly dispelled it as misinformation.
The theory claims that at exactly 10:33AM ET (2:33PM UTC) today, the planet will experience a temporary gravitational anomaly lasting around seven seconds.
According to the posts circulating online, the event would cause people, animals, cars and other objects to become airborne before crashing back to Earth when gravity supposedly returns.
The extraordinary claim has attracted millions of views online, despite scientists repeatedly explaining that there is no evidence it could materialize.
The conspiracy can reportedly be traced back to a social media post published on December 31, 2025.
An Instagram video claimed: “On August 12, 2026, the world will lose gravity for seven seconds. NASA knows. They're preparing but won't tell us why.”
According to the fictional scenario, NASA had supposedly launched an $89 billion initiative called “Project Anchor” to prepare for the event.
The alleged cause? Two gravitational waves generated by black holes supposedly intersecting with Earth.
The posts claimed the event had been predicted in 2019 with a 94.7% probability and that NASA had secretly spent five years preparing for it.
Some versions of the theory even claimed government officials, scientists, military personnel and supposedly “selected citizens with genetic diversity” had been provided with underground bunkers.
Everyone else, apparently, would be left to fend for themselves.
The conspiracy theory goes into extraordinary detail about what would allegedly come to pass during the seven-second event.
It claims that during the first couple of seconds, anything not attached to the ground would begin floating.
People, animals, cars, and furniture would supposedly rise into the air, with some versions claiming people could reach heights of between 15 and 20 metres, roughly 50 to 65 feet.
When gravity supposedly returned after 7.3 seconds, everything would come crashing back down.
The fictional disaster allegedly would cause around 40 million deaths, widespread infrastructure destruction and an economic collapse lasting more than a decade.
But there is one rather significant problem with the theory: there is no scientific evidence that any of this is going to take place.
NASA has directly addressed the viral rumors, explaining that Earth's gravity is determined by the planet's mass.
“Earth's gravity, or total gravitational force, is determined by its mass,” the agency told fact-checking website Snopes.
“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,” NASA added.
“The Earth will not lose gravity on August 12, 2026.”
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world5 min(s) read
According to a conspiracy theory that has been bouncing around social media for the past eight months, the Earth will lose gravity for 7.3 seconds at exactly 10:33am ET (2:33pm UTC) today.
If you are reading this, it hasn't happened yet.
Or perhaps it has, and you floated 60 feet into the air and came back down and just carried on with your day.
The theory is, obviously, complete nonsense.
NASA has said so. Physicists have said so - one publication described it as a conspiracy theory of 'a level of stupidity never before reached in the history of our species'.
Yet millions of people have engaged with it online. So here is what the claim actually says and why it is wrong.
On December 31, 2025, an Instagram user posted a video with text overlay reading: 'On August 12, 2026, the world will lose gravity for 7 seconds. NASA knows. They're preparing but won't tell us why.'
The caption went further.
It claimed a secret NASA document titled 'Project Anchor' had leaked online in November 2024.
The project allegedly had an $89 billion budget and a single goal - survive a 7-second gravitational anomaly expected on August 12, 2026, at 10:33am ET (14:33 UTC).
The post claimed the anomaly would be caused by two gravitational waves from black holes intersecting with Earth.
It said the event had been predicted in 2019 with a probability of 94.7%.
NASA had known for five years. They built bunkers for government leaders, scientists, military personnel, and 'selected citizens with genetic diversity'.
Everyone else, apparently, was on their own.
The theory breaks it down second by second.
In the first two seconds, anything not bolted down starts floating.
People, animals, cars, furniture. All of it.
Between seconds three and four, objects continue rising. People reach heights of 15 to 20 meters, roughly 50 to 65 feet, above the ground.
At 7.3 seconds, gravity returns. Everything comes crashing back down.
The post estimated 40 million deaths from falls. Infrastructure destruction. Economic collapse lasting over 10 years. Mass panic.
Gravity is not something Earth has like a battery or a switch.
It is a fundamental force that arises from mass.
As long as the Earth has mass, it has gravity. You cannot turn it off or pause it.
Two gravitational waves from distant black holes cannot override the gravitational pull of a 5.97 × 10²⁴ kilogram planet.
Gravitational waves do exist.
They were first detected in 2015 by the LIGO observatory.
But the waves that reach Earth from black hole mergers billions of light years away are incomprehensibly faint.
They stretch and compress space by less than the width of a proton. They do not cancel out gravity. They do not make people float. You cannot feel them.
A NASA spokesperson confirmed to Snopes that there is no 'Project Anchor', no leaked document, no $89 billion budget, and no predicted gravitational anomaly. 'There will be no loss of gravity on August 12, 2026,' NASA said.
But they would say that, wouldn't they?
The only real celestial event happening today is a total solar eclipse, visible from the Arctic to Spain.
Eclipses have been accurately predicted for thousands of years and do not affect gravity.
The original Instagram post went viral in early January 2026 and spread across TikTok, X, Reddit, 4chan, Bluesky, Facebook, and Threads within days.
Versions of the claim were translated into multiple languages.
Spin-off posts added new details - 11 scientists had supposedly died or gone missing. An independent physicist who confirmed the gravitational wave intersection had his paper retracted and vanished.
None of it was real. The scientists did not die. The physicist did not exist. The paper was never published.
Snopes rated the entire claim 'False'. IFLScience noted that August 12 was a clever date to pick because the real eclipse gives the theory a thin veneer of astronomical credibility. 'A good date for a rumour, as it has great SEO potential,' the outlet wrote. 'We checked.'
Because it was packaged well.
A specific date, a specific time down to the second, a named government agency and a leaked document with a budget figure.
The whole step-by-step breakdown of what would happen, explained with technical language about gravitational waves and black hole intersections.
It followed the same template as every viral conspiracy - take a real scientific concept, bolt a terrifying fictional scenario onto it, then add a government cover-up to explain why nobody official is confirming it.
The conspiracy also tapped into something real.
People do not trust institutions the way they used to.
When NASA says something is not happening, a growing number of people hear that as confirmation that it is.
In brief, nothing.
Gravity will continue to work.
You will remain on the ground. Your coffee will stay in your mug.
The Earth will keep orbiting the Sun at 67,000 miles per hour, held in place by the same gravitational force that has been operating without interruption for 4.5 billion years.
If you do float 60 feet into the air and come crashing back down at 10:33am, then fair enough. We were wrong. But we are not going to be wrong.
weird3 min(s) read
For thousands of years, most of us have taken the roundness of our planet to be a fact of life - much in the same way that we know the Earth orbits the sun, or that pizza is the greatest invention to ever grace mankind. However, not everyone is so keen to accept that our globe is, well, a globe, and instead believe in the flat Earth theory.
One of the most famous flat Earthers is "Mad" Mike Hughes, a man who has already previously attempted to launch himself into the atmosphere in order to determine the shape of the planet. His last mission, which was set to take place in November 2017, never got off the ground - literally - when his rocket failed to launch.
But that didn't put him off one bit (though perhaps it should've), as the 61-year-old Californian crash-landed in the Mojave Desert yesterday after his most recent endeavor to find the truth.
"I don’t believe in science," Hughes said when he first announced his intention to fly his rocket into the air. "I know about aerodynamics and fluid dynamics and how things move through the air, about the certain size of rocket nozzles, and thrust. But that’s not science, that’s just a formula. There’s no difference between science and science fiction."
Unfortunately, it seems his knowledge of aerodynamics and rocket nozzles wasn't quite enough, as Hughes plummeted to the ground after reaching a height of 1,875 feet.
Thankfully, though, he'd had the good sense to equip his DIY craft with two parachutes - but his injuries still required an urgent trip to the hospital.
"Do I believe the Earth is shaped like a Frisbee? I believe it is, do I know for sure? No. That’s why I want to go up in space," he said before launching himself into the sky.
Hughes was convinced that the vessel, which was constructed using scrap metal and is powered by steam, would allow him to travel for approximately one mile into the air - high enough to see the curvature of the planet (or lack thereof) - but he never made it that far.
Still, he claims that he is pleased with what he did achieve.
"Am I glad I did it? Yeah. I guess. I’ll feel it in the morning," he said. "I won’t be able to get out of bed. At least I can go home and have dinner and see my cats tonight."
Regardless of his past failures, Hughes is still absolutely convinced that the world is flat, and believes that anybody who isn't questioning it is "an idiot".
"None of us are getting out of this world alive," he once said in an interview. "I like to do extraordinary things that no one else can do, and no one in the history of mankind has designed, built and launched himself in his own rocket."
Well, he might not have succeeded in proving the world is flat, but he certainly achieved a personal goal by building and flying his own rocket. Still, perhaps "Mad" Mike should stay put on the ground for now - at least until he's made a full recovery.
world3 min(s) read
If 2026 isn’t already looking bleak, NASA may be adding another dramatic moment to the list as one of its old satellites heads back toward Earth. The spacecraft known as Van Allen Probe A is expected to re-enter the planet’s atmosphere tonight after spending more than a decade in space.
The probe, launched alongside its twin Van Allen Probe B, was originally sent up in 2012 to study a dangerous region surrounding Earth called the Van Allen belts. These belts form rings around the planet’s magnetic shield and help protect Earth from solar storms, solar wind, and radiation.
While the mission was initially expected to last only two years, the spacecraft stayed active for nearly seven. Now, almost 14 years after its launch, Probe A is returning to Earth and could create a small but real risk as debris burns through the atmosphere.
According to estimates, the 1,300 pound spacecraft is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at 7:45PM EDT, which is 12:30AM in the UK.
Most of the craft is expected to burn up during re-entry, but some solid pieces could survive and fall toward the ground. Because of that possibility, NASA confirmed that both the agency and Space Force will monitor the probe as it comes back down.
The odds of debris harming anyone are extremely low. NASA has placed the risk at about a 1 in 4,200 chance that any fragments could pose a danger to people on the ground.
Originally, scientists believed the probe would remain in orbit until around 2034. However, the Sun has been particularly active during the current solar cycle.
That increased activity has intensified cosmic weather, which gradually pulled the spacecraft closer to Earth and sped up its return by nearly a decade.
Probe B, the twin spacecraft launched with it, is still expected to remain in orbit much longer and is not predicted to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.
The two probes were sent into the Van Allen belts to study how particles enter and leave the region. Scientists also wanted to learn more about how radiation behaves in the area surrounding Earth.
Although the mission was designed to last until 2014, both spacecraft continued operating for nearly seven years. The shorter planned mission time had originally been chosen to reduce exposure to intense radiation.
During their time in orbit, the probes achieved several milestones. They were the first spacecraft built to spend long periods inside the Van Allen belts and set records for operating in that harsh environment.
Their instruments also captured the first data showing the existence of a third radiation belt that can form during strong solar activity. According to NASA, the information gathered by the probes has contributed to hundreds of scientific publications.
Now, attention turns to the final stage of Probe A’s journey as it falls back toward Earth, with experts keeping watch to ensure its return causes no problems.
weird3 min(s) read
Given the way the world is going, the end of time doesn't actually seem like that bad of an option, does it? I mean, let's be honest here, we're not in a great situation right now. We're on the brink of a terrifying world war, people are being poisoned and climate change is becoming a very real prospect. So, if there was to be a mystical planet that fancied crashing into earth and destroying mankind, would it really be that bad?
Well, luckily for us, some people believe that this is a very real prospect.
According to several conspiracy theorists, our world is set to end in dramatic circumstances, with the "death planet" Nibiru being the cause of our eventual demise.
Apparently, humankind will be obliterated and crushed to smithereens on April 23, so cancel your summer plans, quit your jobs and get out and enjoy your last two weeks on Earth!
The theory suggests that the moon, sun and Jupiter are going to align in Virgo, causing the start of the biblical rapture. This will trigger numerous catastrophic events, with the world seeing the rise of the Antichrist, the onset of World War III and seven years of Tribulation. However, the scariest part of this is all is that planet Nibiru - a planet that literally does not exist - will appear in the sky.
Of course, as with most of these theories, the Nibiru apocalypse has been predicted on numerous occasions but has never actually happened. David Meade, a man who had previously predicted the end of the world, said:
"By early April of 2018, the disappearance of the Church (all true Christians worldwide also known as the Rapture) will occur.
"This will be followed quickly by the rise of the Antichrist, the appearance of Planet X and World War III.
"Seven years of Tribulation will ensure. This is beyond any shadow of doubt."
Unfortunately for Meade and his merry band of conspiracy theorists, NASA has thoroughly debunked the Nibiru myth, saying:
"Nibiru and other stories about wayward planets are an Internet hoax. There is no factual basis for these claims.
"If Nibiru or Planet X were real and headed for an encounter with the Earth, astronomers would have been tracking it for at least the past decade, and it would be visible by now to the naked eye."
If you're slightly confused about what Nibiru actually is, Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual, can explain:
"Zecharia Sitchin claims that Nibiru collided with a planet called Tiamat that was situated between Mars and Jupiter. The result was the creation of the asteroid belt and planet Earth.
"Nibiru is populated by the Anunnaki, an advanced humanoid race, who visited Earth thousands of years to mine gold in Africa. As an outcome of needing workers to carry out these mining operations, they used genetics to create Homo Sapiens.
"The popularity of these type of ideas makes it certain that every new discovery by our spaceships will be minutely studied for any evidence of Nibiru, or any other similar body that might be populated by extraterrestrials."
So, if you're a realist, this news will mean absolutely nothing to you. But, if you are someone who tends to lean towards conspiracies, it's time to batten down the hatches and plan for the end of the world.
us3 min(s) read
Elon Musk shared a bizarre theory about why two NASA astronauts are stuck in space, and they have since responded.
NASA astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams, 59, and Barry "Butch" Wilmore, 61, were supposed to be back on Earth months ago.
Instead, they’ve now spent nearly 300 days in space, marooned on the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical failures on their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
The mission, which was originally scheduled to last just eight days, quickly turned into an extended stay after thruster failures, helium leaks, and a faulty propellant valve left their Starliner capsule compromised.
Rather than risk a dangerous return trip, NASA decided the safest option was to wait for SpaceX’s Dragon capsule to bring them home—now expected in March 2025 as part of Crew-9’s return mission.
Meanwhile, the situation has been further complicated by Elon Musk and Donald Trump, who claim the astronauts are only stuck for “political reasons” - a statement Wilmore has now directly addressed.
Elon Musk made headlines with a bold claim: "They were left up there for political reasons, which is not good," he told Fox News during a joint interview with Donald Trump.
Trump doubled down, alleging that President Joe Biden was "going to leave them in space."
Neither Musk nor Trump elaborated on what they meant by this claim or provided evidence to support it.
However, the implication that the astronauts’ extended stay was driven by political motives rather than technical issues stirred further debate.
During a press conference from the ISS, Wilmore directly responded to the comments, expressing respect for both Musk and Trump - but also clarifying that they don’t know the full story.
"Obviously, we've heard some of these different things that have been said. I can tell you at the outset, all of us have the utmost respect for Mr. Musk and obviously respect and admiration for our President of the United States, Donald Trump."
He acknowledged that politics is part of life but pointed out that they know the situation better than anyone.
"We know what we've lived up here, we know the ins and outs and the specifics that they may not be privy to - and I'm sure that they have some issues that they are dealing with, information that they have that we are not privy to."
However, despite trying to remain diplomatic, Wilmore admitted he had no direct knowledge of Musk’s claim.
"I can only say that Mr. Musk, what he says is absolutely factual - I have no, we have no, information on that though whatsoever, what was offered, what was not offered, who it was offered to, how that process went. That's information that we simply don't have."
Despite the political noise, NASA and SpaceX have officially set the astronauts’ return timeline.
In an update, NASA confirmed that SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission is targeting a March 12 launch, with Crew-9 bringing Williams and Wilmore back to Earth shortly after.
"NASA and SpaceX are accelerating the target launch and return dates for the upcoming crew rotation missions to and from the International Space Station," the agency stated.
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