Earth ring theory may shed light on an unexplained ancient climate event, scientists say

Scientists hypothesize that Earth may have sported its own ring 466 million years ago .

During the Ordovician Period , a time of significant changes for Earth ’s life-forms, plate tectonics and climate.

Nearly two dozen impact craters known to occur during this time were all within 30 degrees of the equator.

The new hypothesis sheds light on the origins of the spike in meteorite impacts.

The study authors are researching what extent of shade would be needed to cause a deep global freeze.

Previous research found that ancient Mars might have also sported a ring, or rings, and scientists predict that planet may one day have more in the future.

Tomkins estimates that even a faint ring would have been visible from Earth .