Until recently, mysterious circular patches known as ‘fairy circles’ had been spotted in Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa. But now, researchers have seen these strange circles scattered across the Australian outback as well.

A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America has found the origin of these baffling structures. A research team led by Stephan Getzin of Department of Ecological Modelling at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) found that the fairly circles could be due to grass organizing itself in this pattern.

“There have been a lot of interesting mythological explanations for the circles by locals in Namibia. Some people thought fairies danced in a circle overnight, while others thought they could be the footsteps of God”, said Getzin.

There are many theories explaining the presence of these circular gaps on the outback. Some locals have a hunch that a dragon has caused these patches, while others believe the circles belong to UFOs, according to Getzin.

There are some scientific theories too. As per one theory, the fairy circles are a result of area’s toxic carbon monoxide gas that rises up from the ground. Another theory explains that ants or termites have created these dots. The study researchers believe the third theory, which states that grasses self-organize themselves in this pattern, could be the possible reason behind these circles.

Getzin said he and his team investigated all the possible causes for more than two years and found that the third theory could be behind these mysterious patches. The team has significant evidence to support the theory, he added. Getzin also said that there could be many regions on the planet where similar circles might exist.