Broom Challenge Sweeps Social Media

LONG ISLAND, NY — It's the craze that's, err, sweeping the nation (no pun intended) as thousands turn to social media to share photos of their standing brooms.

The #broomchallenge, according to Newsweek, began on Twitter when claims were made that NASA reportedly said Monday, Feb. 10, was the only day a broomstick could stand by itself due to gravitational pull and other scientific forces.

Turns out, NASA Earth said on Twitter: "There's no special gravity that affects only brooms, but the Moon's gravity creates tides on earth."

And, according to USA TODAY, Karen Northon, public affairs officer for NASA headquarters, said the broom hoax was "harmless," adding that it was important to research and check the facts "before jumping into the latest viral craze."

Bottom line? A broomstick can stand upright on its own any time of the year, the USA TODAY post added.

The hoax, which spread rapid fire, much like other viral internet challenges, including the Tide pod flurry and the Momo Challenge, actually began, according to the Newsweek post, from a "longstanding urban myth, or old wives' tale, claiming that every year on the vernal and autumnal equinox, eggs are able to balance on their ends."

Balancing eggs have also sparked a renewed flurry of interest: "Eggs are the most basic, literal and obvious symbols of fertility. Spring is a time of rebirth, and therefore, eggs tend to be used in celebration," a previous Patch post said. "According to Chinese legend, if this symbol of fertility could be balanced on end during a day equally divided between day and night, it would be a sign that all nature was in harmony. That's a lovely thought, but now, where do brooms come in? It would appear that brooms — but not hot dogs, pencils or lollipops — have become an online fad to coincide with this Chinese legend."

But whether or not the online hoax was true, the #broomchallenge got everyone giving their brooms the test, and posting their hilarious photos on social media.

Not only regular folks, but celebrities, too, got swept up in the craze: Stars including Paula Abdul and Ally Brooke gave the broom trick a whirl.

Close to home on Long Island, families were enjoying the #broomchallenge with their kids. "Even though the story about NASA wasn’t true, it was still fun and we laughed a lot!” said Keri Lynn Stromski of Aquebogue.

Many commented that the broom challenge was all in good fun and a nice way to share something positive on social media.

Others wished for true magic: "If, in a month its starts sweeping on its own then we've got something!" one woman wrote on Facebook.