Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim: Message urging people to turn off their mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices tonight and to keep them away from the body to protect them against cosmic rays
Fact: The viral message recommending people to turn off their phones for protection against cosmic rays is false.
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse was seen in Mexico, the United States and Canada. In wake of the celestial phenomenon, a ‘warning’ message is making rounds on social media that urges users to turn off our mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices in the night between 12:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. and keep them away. “Because Cosmic Rays will pass near the earth at that time which can harm us by the effects of radiation,” the message claims. The posts also mentioned TV Singapore, NASA and BBC as the source of the news.
Many of such claims can be seen here, here and here
Newschecker received this claim on our Whatsapp tipline (9999499044), too, requesting it to be fact-checked.
Fact Check/ Verification
What are Cosmic Rays? Does it do any harm to the human body?
According to US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
Cosmic rays are particles originating from outer space that traverse the universe, released by sources such as the sun, supernovae, and even black holes. Despite their huge speeds, when these particles encounter Earth, they are typically weakened by our atmosphere, making them generally harmless to humans.
International Atomic Energy Agency’s report says, Cosmic rays are exceptionally high-energy subatomic particles, primarily consisting of protons and atomic nuclei, often accompanied by electromagnetic emissions. Occasionally, cosmic radiation penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere, but it is harmless. On average, individuals are exposed to approximately 3.5 millisieverts of radiation annually. Half of this exposure stems from artificial sources like X-rays, mammography, and CT scans, while the remaining half originates from natural sources. Of this natural radiation, about 10 per cent comes from cosmic radiation.
Can Cosmic rays affect us during an eclipse?
Newschecker reached out to Dr. Debiprosad Duari, former director of M.P Birla Planetarium, Kolkata who dismissed the viral message as fake. He added, “A solar eclipse is a frequent cosmic occurrence, happening periodically and cosmic rays consistently reach Earth’s surface, originating from various celestial sources beyond our solar system, irrespective of solar eclipses. It is wrong to say that cosmic ray radiation, when interacting with an electrical device, can cause harm to the human body.”
Dr Sujoy Pal, Assistant Professor of AstroPhysics Department, Sree Krishna College, Bogula, West Bengal said to us, “Cosmic rays are actually high energy electrons or protons that originated outside our solar system. It comes towards the earth by following its magnetic field and it is an ongoing process. These cosmic rays end up in our atmosphere. They are not likely to reach the ground or the human body.”
The posts also mentioned NASA and BBC. We checked their website but did not find any such post. Later, we checked and found that there is no such channel.
Furthermore, we found media outlets like Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Snopes also published reports debunking this massage.
Conclusion
Thus it is proved that the viral message recommending people to turn off their phones for protection against cosmic rays is false.
Result: False
Source
Report By US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Report By International Atomic Energy Agency
Telephonic interview of Dr. Debiprosad Duari, former director of M.P Birla Planetarium, Kolkata
Telephonic interview of Dr Sujoy Pal, Assistant Professor of AstroPhysics Department, Sree Krishna College, Bogula, West Bengal
Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
