Meaning of Roche limit | Babel Free

Definitions

The closest a satellite can approach its parent body before the gravitational forces holding it together are overwhelmed by tidal forces pulling it apart.

Equivalents

Examples

“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.”

“The prelunar mass must first be moved outside the Roche limit if accumulation is to occur.”

“If, however, the planet's moon comes inside the Roche limit, the tidal forces overcome its gravity and pull the moon apart.”

CEFR level