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名詞

Roche limit (複数形 Roche limits)

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

   Synonym: Roche radius

   • 1979, Isaac Asimov, The Road to Infinity, Doubleday, page 145,

     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.

   • 1986, William K. Hartmann, Roger J. Phillips, G. Jeffrey Taylor (editors), Origin of the Moon, Lunar and Planetary Institute, page 91,

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

   • 2003, Michael A. Seeds, Foundations of Astronomy, Brooks/Cole, page 512,

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

関連する語

• Roche lobe
• Roche surface