Fact Check: Will Earth Lose Gravity for 7 Seconds on August 12, 2026?

January 29, 2026 | 04:47 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Accounts on social media platforms X [archive] and Threads posted claims that the Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds later this year, on August 12, 2026. The owner of the X account warned people to stay vigilant during the aforementioned date while sharing a screenshot of a news headline. 

The post has garnered 213,000 views and 262 reposts thus far. Meanwhile, the Threads poster accused NASA of intentionally hiding information about the gravity loss phenomenon from the public.

So, is it true that Earth will lose its gravity for 7 seconds on August 12, 2026?

FACT CHECK

Tempo verified the content using a reverse image search and compared it with reliable sources. Search results informed about a total solar eclipse forecast for that date, but nothing about a seven-second gravity-free Earth. 

How did the claim of gravity loss spread on social media?

The claim originated from an English-speaking podcast that was shared by a number of accounts, including Flat Earth Library. The podcast discussed a supposed leaked NASA document detailing the loss of Earth's gravity for seven seconds on August 12, 2026.

The narrative claims that the secret NASA document is titled "Project Anchor" with a budget of US$89 billion. The document contains plans for humanity to prepare for a seven-second gravitational anomaly on August 12, 2026, at 14:33 UTC or 21:33 WIB (Western Indonesia Time).

The poster also claims that the anomaly is triggered by the intersection of two gravitational waves from black holes. Additionally, they allege NASA is building an underground bunker to protect government leaders, scientists, military personnel, and selected groups of citizens.

But NASA has strongly denied the narratives through an official statement to the U.S. fact-checking organization, Snopes. In an email, a NASA spokesperson confirmed that the Earth will not lose gravity on August 12, 2026.

The space agency explained that gravity loss is not possible, as it defies basic principles of physics. Earth's gravity would only disappear if the Earth system, the combined mass of its core, mantle, crust, oceans, to the atmosphere, lose its mass completely.

NASA also emphasized that the total solar eclipse predicted to occur on that date will not have an unusual impact on Earth's gravity. Although the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon affects tidal forces, this phenomenon does not affect the total gravitational force of the Earth as a whole.

What is Earth's gravity?

According to NASA's website, gravity is an invisible force that draws all objects toward the center of mass of a planet or other celestial body. This fundamental force plays a vital role in keeping all planets on stable orbital paths as they revolve around the sun.

Earth's gravitational force comes from its total mass. All of this mass produces a combined gravitational pull that affects the human body and gives it weight. Physically, humans actually exert an equal gravitational force on Earth as Earth pulls on humans—a principle of action and reaction that maintains balance on Earth's surface.

The existence of gravity is crucial for life to exist. The sun's gravity ensures that the Earth remains in the correct orbit, allowing humans to enjoy the sun's light and heat at a safe distance. In addition, this force holds the atmosphere and oxygen in place, which allows us to breathe. Without gravity, the world would not have the force to remain intact.

Visual Verification

The photo uploaded on X is an illustrated headline from a Detik.com article dated January 21, 2026, titled “Viral Bumi Diramal Kehilangan Gravitasi Selama 7 Detik pada 12 Agustus 2026.” (Viral Earth Predicted to Lose Gravity for 7 Seconds on August 12, 2026)

Detik discusses the sensational claim spread by a user that the Earth will lose its gravity. In its article, Detik states that the claim is a hoax.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of our fact-checking, Tempo’s Fact-Checking Team concludes that the claim that the Earth will lose its gravity for 7 seconds on August 12, 2026, is false.

TEMPO FACT-CHECK TEAM

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