Roche limit and tidal disruption

Guide a satellite towards a planet and watch differential gravity stretch it into fragments and rings.

Icy moon approaching SaturnStable satellite

StableDeformationSheddingFragmentationDebris streamRing formation

Distance—

Fluid Roche limit—

Rigid Roche limit—

Tidal acceleration—

Bound mass100%

Tidal acceleration vs distance

The near side is pulled more strongly than the far side. This difference stretches the satellite radially and compresses it across the orbit.

A strengthless fluid disrupts farther out than a rigid body. Cohesion, rotation and encounter speed can delay or alter breakup.

Fragments inherit slightly different orbits. Over time they spread into a debris stream or ring and may collide with the planet or escape.

Model note: Roche distances and tidal acceleration are calculated; particle cohesion and fragmentation are simplified and visually magnified.