TikTok viral claim: Earth to lose gravity for seven seconds?

A sensational claim circulating on TikTok alleges that Earth will experience a temporary loss of gravity for approximately seven seconds on August 12. This supposed event, according to the viral posts, would cause people and objects to float, potentially leading to millions of deaths.

The theory is often embellished with details about a supposed secret NASA project named "Project Anchor." Reports vary wildly on the project's budget, with some citing $89 million and others escalating it to $89 billion. Alleged "leaked NASA documents" are mentioned, but no credible evidence supporting the existence of such a project or the gravity event has been presented.

The fabricated narrative attempts to lend itself an air of scientific legitimacy by connecting it to real astronomical events. The date, August 12, coincides with a total solar eclipse visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, as well as the peak of the Perseid meteor shower and the visibility of several planets. While these celestial occurrences are real, they have no bearing on Earth's gravitational force.

NASA has officially refuted these claims. The agency explained that Earth's gravity is primarily determined by its mass. They stated that there is no known scientific mechanism that could cause gravity to suddenly disappear for a seven-second period. Solar eclipses, planetary alignments, or meteor showers do not possess the capability to disrupt the planet's gravitational field in such a manner.