Wildest solar eclipse conspiracy theories – from the end of the world to 'special powers' – The Mirror
While North Americans wait to marvel at darkened skies during the solar eclipse, conspiracy theorists on TikTok and X think something far more ‘nefarious’ is going on
Millions of North Americans are getting set for ‘The Great American Eclipse’ on Monday afternoon, which will see parts of the nation be plunged into darkness for minutes during the middle of the day.
Scientists eagerly await the solar eclipse as experts attempt to study its effects on layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. Meanwhile, doomsayers on TikTok have come to a much more ominous conclusion about the rare natural phenomenon: it could spark the end of the world.
A total solar eclipse is due to darken skies across parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada. Areas along the 'path of totality' will experience complete blackouts as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth.
READ MORE: Solar eclipse 2024 LIVE: Time rare event visible to MILLIONS will happen across North America
A multitude of misinformation has been spawned online ranging from apocalyptic predictions to nation-wide power outages. The Mirror has taken a look at the five wildest conspiracy theories floating across the internet – and debunked them.
TikTok influencers are largely to blame for instigating unrest after posting a torrent of wild conspiracy theories surrounding Monday’s eclipse. Some of the pseudoscientists claimed that the eclipse actually means that the end of the world is nigh – starting in Carbondale, Illinois.
The area intersects the path of the last US eclipse in 2017 which allegedly forms a cross. At the centre of that cross sits the city of Carbondale and its 25,000 inhabitants. And for that reason alone, conspiracy theorists believe that it will be the epicentre of end times.
Solar eclipses and wild theories go together like peanut butter and jelly. Many of those pushing their outlandish views are looking to make a buck from their fearmongering.
Electrical systems and mobile phone infrastructure are set to be kaput – one TikToker brazenly claimed with zero evidence. “They’re saying be ready for like power outages and stuff like that. Cell service disruptions. Buy necessary groceries,” influencer Clarke Payne said.
However, there was a catch to his claims: he sells torches and phone charges. “Solar powered block, man, it’s got a flashlight obviously. You can charge your phone on it you can play Angry Birds,” the creator added.
Mystical social media creators claimed to have mapped the “path of totality,” showing that it covers between six and eight places named 'Nineveh'. Nineveh, a town mentioned in Genesis in the bible, has influencers placing nonsensical religious significance on mapping.
Nevertheless, along with a clear lack of detail, it appears those mapping faltered at the first hurdle. The total eclipse will pass through just two places called Nineveh in Ohio and Indiana – not six to eight.
Dan McClellan, a biblical scholar, called out the claims on TikTok after analysing NASA’s data. He said: “Anyone who says that these cities fall inside the path of totality is either lying about where they’re located or has manipulated the path of totality.”
While not a conspiracy per say, Republican congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene has added fuel to the fire for those who believe something more clandestine is going on.
Greene has attributed the natural events to a higher power, urging Americans to repent for their sins after being given “strong signs”. More than 8 million people saw her social media post, as she seemingly forgot to add context that solar eclipses can be predicted well in advance.
“God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent, “she wrote on X, formerly Twitter on Friday. “Earthquakes and eclipses and many more things to come. I pray that our country listens.”
While Greene’s hot take on the eclipse may play into some conspiracy theories, others slammed her explanation. One person commented: “Marjorie, thank you for keeping the oldest jokes about ignorant Republicans alive.”
Alex Jones, owner of far-right conspiracy theory and fake news website, Infowars, is back trying to spark public hysteria. At a recent X Spaces event he and his co-host claimed that globalists have “nefarious” plans for the total solar eclipse. Jones said that the government is going to use the eclipse as a practice run to declare martial law.
But it was Mike Adams who came up with the wildest ideas without a smidgen of evidence. He said: “The globalists, they believe these events have special powers. So they are lining up important things in their minds, things to summon power.
“They are using the solar eclipse as a justification for the nefarious plans they intend to carry out. They are using the solar eclipse as a justification for the nefarious plans they intend to carry out."
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