Could the Earth have rings? The answer is no for two very simple reasons. The proximity of our planet to the Sun means that our force of gravity does not allow permanent objects to be generated within the Roche limit.
Additionally, Earth’s atmosphere acts as a shield against objects that could enter orbit around our world and form rings.
However, an illustration that shows an event that for us would be catastrophic, and that would result in the creation of rings on Earth, just as happens with Saturn.
An illustrative video shows how the Moon exceeds the Roche limit and, due to the force of gravity, completely disintegrates, leaving a ring of rocks in our surroundings.
“In the video simulation, you can see our satellite having exceeded this limit, and therefore turning into dust little by little until forming rings around the Earth, all due to the great tidal forces of being so close.” AstroRural said in his video post.
Could this happen? Under any concept. In fact, the Moon, instead of getting closer to us, is moving further away every day.
The Earth did have rings about 4.5 billion years ago, shortly after its formation. These were formed from debris left over from the collision between Earth and a Mars-sized protoplanet. The rings gradually disintegrated as debris accumulated to form the Moon.
The only way it is possible for Earth to have rings again in the future is if a large enough asteroid or comet collides with Earth, it could create a new ring system. However, this is very unlikely.