**🔎 FACT CHECK: Viral Eclipse Rumor Rated: FALSE**

🔎 FACT CHECK: Viral Eclipse Rumor Rated: FALSE

Viral Snippet: “BREAKING: Scientists confirm the recent solar eclipse caused a ‘micro-blackout’ of all GPS satellites in North America, forcing flights to be grounded for 37 minutes!”

Our Verdict: FAKE

✖️ What actually happened: While solar eclipses can briefly disrupt the ionosphere (which affects GPS signal accuracy), they do NOT cause a “total blackout” of satellites or a “ground stop” for flights. A routine, pre-planned FAA notice for minor GPS interference testing in the Southwest was mistakenly screen-shotted and reposted as a “blackout” during the eclipse.

📡 The real risk: Airlines do adjust routes to avoid the path of totality due to potential solar radiation and to avoid passenger confusion (darkness at high altitude). But no flights were “grounded” by the eclipse itself.

🔬 Science check: Satellites are in orbit, not on the ground. An eclipse’s shadow is too localized and brief (under 5 minutes in any one place) to cause a system-wide “micro-blackout.”

⚠️ Go Viral If You Want, But The Truth Is: Don’t believe the dramatic “blackout” claims. Your phone’s GPS will still work during an eclipse—just maybe a few feet less accurate.

#EclipseFactCheck #NoBlackout #ScienceNotScaremongering