The April 8 total solar eclipse, which is expected to shroud the homes of tens of millions of Americans in darkness, has the internet buzzing. While
millions are traveling to witness the phenomenon, some have latched onto the idea that the eclipse is linked to something nefarious.
Conspiracy theories linking the eclipse to a portal opening and a "sex magic ritual" have spread widely, as has an assertion that the sun and moon aren't actually aligned.
Here's a roundup of solar eclipse debunks from the USA TODAY Fact-Check Team:
Claim: CERN will start up April 8 to open a portal during the eclipse
Our rating: False
The post is wrong about both the timing and the nature of CERN's work. CERN's equipment began operating in March, a month before the eclipse, and the technology is nowhere near strong enough to open a portal or a black hole.
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Claim: April 8 solar eclipse will cause 3-5 days of darkness
Our rating: False
The claim is nonsense. The entire planet will not go dark for days. Only those located in the narrow path of totality will experience any significant darkness, and experts said that will last for only about four minutes.
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Continued below.
A roundup of fact-checks about the April 8 total solar eclipse from the USA TODAY Fact-Check Team.
www.usatoday.com
Man, people need to get off TikTok and X, and listen to the astronomers. No issues will happen during the eclipse, except for delayed traffic and high prices for hotels and AirBnBs.
Here is the article, summarized in an essay format:
The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, has created a wave of excitement and intrigue across the United States. Millions of Americans are preparing to travel to witness this natural phenomenon. However, amidst the anticipation, there have been numerous conspiracy theories circulating on the internet, linking the eclipse to nefarious events and bizarre occurrences. We will be debunking some of the most prevalent myths about the April 2024 solar eclipse, using facts from the USA TODAY Fact-Check Team.
Claim: CERN will start up on April 8 to open a portal during the eclipse
First and foremost, there is a widespread belief that the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) will initiate operations on April 8 to open a portal or even a black hole during the eclipse. However, this claim is false. CERN's equipment has been operating since March 2024, well before the eclipse, and its technology is nowhere near capable of creating such phenomena.
Claim: Solar Eclipse will cause 3-5 days of darkness
Another unfounded claim suggests that the entire planet will be plunged into darkness for three to five days during the eclipse. This notion is absurd, as only those located within the narrow path of totality will experience any significant darkness, which will last for approximately four minutes.
Claim: NASA is launching 'three rockets at three moons' during eclipse
There are also false rumors that NASA plans to launch three rockets during the solar eclipse to hit three moons. In reality, NASA will be launching three rockets on April 8, 2024, to study the impact of the eclipse on the upper atmosphere.
Claim: Eclipse crosses seven cities named Ninevah and 2017 eclipse path in 'Little Egypt'
An attempt has been made to link the solar eclipse to biblical locations, specifically seven cities named Ninevah, and the 2017 eclipse path in 'Little Egypt.' This claim is partly false. There are indeed two cities named Ninevah within the eclipse's path of totality, but there are not seven. Additionally, the eclipse paths do cross in 'Little Egypt,' but this is a large region, not a town.
Claim: A 'Birdman' was seen days before the solar eclipse
A photo of a silhouette in the sky, which has been circulating online since at least November 2016, is being claimed as a 'Birdman' sighting before the solar eclipse. This claim is false, as experts have stated that the depicted 'Birdman' concept is logically impossible because the wings wouldn't support the weight.
Claim: Three rockets being launched by NASA during eclipse are part of 'sex magic ritual'
There is a belief that the NASA rockets scheduled for April 8, 2024, are part of a 'sex magic ritual.' This claim is false. The NASA rockets will be used to study the eclipse's effect on the upper atmosphere, just as they were during a previous eclipse.
Claim: National Guard, FEMA, hazmat teams were never activated for a solar eclipse before 2024
Lastly, there is a conspiracy theory suggesting that National Guard, FEMA, and hazmat teams were never activated for a solar eclipse before 2024. This claim is false. Previous preparations similar to the ones in place for the April 8, 2024, eclipse have taken place in 2017. The hazmat team involved is part of the National Guard's response, not a separate entity.
In conclusion, it is essential to separate fact from fiction when faced with conspiracy theories and misinformation. By debunking these claims using credible sources, we can ensure that people are well-informed and can enjoy the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse without any unnecessary concerns or false expectations.
