Scientists have debunked the online panic over the end of the world
Rumors are circulating on social media about the alleged “end of the world” on August 12, 2026, when three astronomical events are said to occur simultaneously. Scientists have urged people not to panic, emphasizing that these cosmic events pose no threat to Earth.
Social media has been flooded with predictions that the “end of the world” could supposedly occur as early as August 12 due to the convergence of three major astronomical events: a total solar eclipse, the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, and an alignment of six planets in the Solar System.
Social media users are spreading theories about a “universal reset,” a “zombie apocalypse,” and a massive planetary catastrophe. Some also mention the ancient Maya, who considered the simultaneous occurrence of an eclipse and “shooting stars” to be a sign of the “end of the world.”
However, astronomers emphasize that there is no scientific evidence linking these phenomena to any global catastrophe. According to scientists, this is merely a rare coincidence of astronomical events.
On August 12, residents of Europe will be able to observe a solar eclipse for the first time in 27 years. In Ukraine, it will be a partial eclipse, while the total phase will only be visible in certain areas of Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. The peak of the eclipse is expected at 8:45 p.m. Kyiv time.
The night of August 12–13 will also mark the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. The best viewing conditions are expected before dawn, when, weather permitting, up to 100 meteors per hour may be visible.
In addition, before dawn on August 13, six planets will be visible in the sky at the same time: Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Mars and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye; binoculars will be needed to observe Uranus, and Neptune will only be visible through a telescope, according to the Express.
As a reminder, the Perseid meteor shower is approaching Earth.
Prior to this, astronauts took the first-ever X-ray images of the human body in space.
Earlier, the head of NASA visited Baikonur for the first time in eight years.
Prior to that, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized SpaceX to resume Starship test flights following an investigation into the causes of the failure during the May launch of Starship V3.
