A recent study claims that Earth may have once had a ring. The theory would explain the presence of an odd density of impact craters around the equator dating back to the Ordovician period.

The research, published in one of the most famous scientific journals, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, reveals the details that suggest the presence of rings millions of years ago.

The presence of a ring would have also shielded part of the Earth from the sun—in turn lowering surface temperatures dramatically—which could explain the timing of the Hirnantian Ice Age.

The white rings denote equatorial distance of 4 and 6 Earth radii. High-resolution image of the million-degree hot plasma halo encircling Earth captured by NASA’s JENI instrument.

A recent study claims that Earth may have once had a ring. The theory would explain the presence of an odd density of impact craters around the equator dating back to the Ordovician period.