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A declare that Earth would briefly lose gravity throughout the August 12 photo voltaic eclipse had sparked questions on-line, however NASA has confirmed that no such change befell.
The idea was linked to a supposed NASA venture. (News18 Picture)
The photo voltaic eclipse on August 12 got here with greater than only a uncommon view of the sky. Alongside the occasion, a wierd declare had folks questioning if one thing uncommon may occur to Earth for just a few seconds.
The declare was linked to a supposed change in gravity throughout the eclipse, with some posts even placing a particular time and period to the alleged occasion. However there was an issue with the story behind it.
NASA Says The Gravity Declare Was False
Because the eclipse befell, the expected seven-second lack of gravity didn’t occur. NASA had already clarified {that a} photo voltaic eclipse can not trigger Earth to instantly lose its gravitational pressure.
“The Earth is not going to lose gravity. Earth’s gravity, or complete gravitational pressure, is set by its mass,” a NASA assertion mentioned. The company defined that Earth’s gravity depends upon the planet’s mass.
For Earth to truly lose its total gravitational pressure, there must be a significant lack of mass from the planet itself. That might contain the mixed mass of the Earth’s core, mantle, crust, oceans, land-based water and environment. The temporary blocking of daylight by the Moon doesn’t trigger such a change.
A photo voltaic eclipse occurs when the Moon strikes between the Earth and the Solar and blocks daylight from reaching elements of the planet. Throughout a complete eclipse, the sky can turn into unusually darkish for a brief interval, however the occasion doesn’t flip off or weaken Earth’s gravity.
The Concept Talked about A Supposed NASA Challenge
The gravity declare was additionally related to one thing referred to as “Challenge Anchor”. Posts claimed that NASA had secretly labored on the venture due to an anticipated seven-second lack of gravity throughout the eclipse.
The idea additionally claimed that NASA had spent $89 billion on the supposed programme and was making ready for an occasion attributable to gravitational waves. Nonetheless, there isn’t a credible proof for these claims. No dependable NASA doc, authorities announcement, scientific paper or price range file has been offered to indicate that such a venture exists.
Comparable claims about Earth shedding gravity throughout a photo voltaic eclipse have appeared earlier than and have additionally been debunked.
What Truly Occurred Throughout The Eclipse
The August 12 eclipse prompted the anticipated modifications in daylight in areas the place it was seen. The Moon lined the Solar, making a interval of darkness throughout the complete part.
However there was no seven-second interval through which folks or objects misplaced their regular weight. Earth’s gravitational pressure remained intact all through the occasion.
The eclipse subsequently handed with out the dramatic impact predicted by the viral concept, whereas NASA’s rationalization makes clear why the planet’s gravity was by no means vulnerable to instantly disappearing.
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August 13, 2026, 11:15 IST
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