Conspiracy

Total solar eclipse generates series of bizarre conspiracy theories

By T.K. Randall
April 8, 2024

Image: Total Solar Eclipse (2017)
Credit: Curtisbeimborn / CC BY 4.0 (adapted) As millions across North America gaze skyward today for a glimpse of the eclipse, there are others who remain convinced that the whole thing is either not what it seems, or that it will be used by nefarious parties to achieve shadowy, undisclosed goals behind the scenes.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly over the Sun in the sky, covering it up to such an extent that it turns day into night for a brief period of time.

For those directly on the path of totality this will be a rare and impressive spectacle, but even for those who will only see a partial solar eclipse from their location, it will still be worth taking a look at.

Predictably, however, some conspiracy theorists - including high-profile politicians - have been spreading some very strange ideas about the eclipse and what it all means.

Republican congresswoman Majorie Taylor Greene, for instance, has been using social media to put forward the idea that the eclipse, coupled with the recent New York earthquake, are both "strong signs" that God wants Americans to "repent for their sins".

A community note was later added to her post on Twitter to explain that there are over 1,700 earthquakes in the United States each year and that the eclipse was known about long in advance.Elsewhere, notorious conspiracy theorist Alex Jones insisted that "the globalists have something planned" for the eclipse, while his guest Andrew Meyer also continued along the same theme by suggesting that "they want to make a big push for evil, negative energy."

Another guest, Mike Adams, suggested that scientists who are studying the eclipse have "nefarious plans" and that the globalists have "special powers".

"So they are lining up important things in their minds, things to summon power," he said.

Exactly what any of that is actually supposed to mean, however, remains unclear.

Finally, there are also some who believe that the eclipse, like the year 2012, is some sort of sign that the world is literally coming to an end.

Suffice to say, though, that the Moon passing in front of the Sun poses no danger to the Earth - eclipses have been happening since long before humans have even existed.

Ultimately, then, if you are lucky enough to be on the path of totality later today, enjoy the show!

Source: Sky News

Tags: Eclipse