JOURNAL ARTICLE

Earth May Have Had a Ring Like Saturn Once.

  • Published In: Time.com, 2024. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Kluger, Jeffrey 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on a new study proposing that Earth had a ring system about 466 million years ago during the Ordovician Period, formed when a large asteroid broke apart within Earth's Roche limit, creating a debris ring around the planet. This ring, similar to those of the outer planets, gradually deposited meteorite material onto Earth, explaining a spike in impacts known as the Ordovician Impact Spike. The ring's shadow, combined with dust from meteor collisions, likely contributed to a significant global temperature drop of 8°C (14.4°F), known as the Hirnantian Icehouse. The study also notes that surviving impact craters from this period cluster near the equator, supporting the ring-origin hypothesis.

Additional Information

  • Source:Time.com. 2024/09, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:2476-2679
  • Accession Number:179765142
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