Roche limit
nounEtymology Named after French astronomer Édouard Roche, who first calculated the limit in 1848.
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Astronomy, Natural sciences The closest a satellite can approach its parent body before the gravitational forces holding it together are overwhelmed by tidal forces pulling it apart.
- It might be argued, therefore, that Jupiter is so massive and its gravitational field so intense that it swept out the matter within its Roche limit very effectively.1979, Isaac Asimov, The Road to Infinity, Doubleday, page 145:
- The prelunar mass must first be moved outside the Roche limit if accumulation is to occur.1986, William K. Hartmann, Roger J. Phillips, G. Jeffrey Taylor, editors, Origin of the Moon, Lunar and Planetary Institute, page 91:
1 more example
- If, however, the planet's moon comes inside the Roche limit, the tidal forces overcome its gravity and pull the moon apart.2003, Michael A. Seeds, Foundations of Astronomy, Brooks/Cole, page 512:
- Related terms
- Roche lobe, Roche surface