Roche Limit

This lecture explains the Roche limit, which is the distance at which a celestial body will break apart due to tidal forces. The concept is illustrated using the example of Saturn's rings and the moon Io orbiting Jupiter. The lecture covers the calculation of the Roche limit, the differential forces of tides, and the impact of satellite rotation on tidal forces. It also discusses the formation of planetary rings, such as Saturn's, and the effects of tidal forces on comets, illustrated by the disintegration of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 near Jupiter.