Roche Limit Calculator
Calculate Roche limit - the minimum distance a satellite can orbit before being torn apart by tidal forces.
Inputs
Solar Radii
kg/m³
kg/m³
Results
Roche Limit
1,083.999 km
Roche Limit
0.0072 AU
Roche Limit1.56 Primary Radii
Stability Factor0.135
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the Primary Radius (solar radii) and Primary Density (kg/m³) of the central body — the Sun is 1 R☉ and ~1,408 kg/m³.
- Enter the Secondary Density (kg/m³) of the orbiting satellite — rocky bodies ~5,500 kg/m³, icy bodies ~1,000 kg/m³.
- Select Body Type: Fluid for soft bodies like comets or gas clouds; Rigid for solid rocky satellites.
- Read Roche Limit (km) — any satellite orbiting inside this distance will be tidally disrupted and form a ring.
- Compare the Roche Limit (AU) to your satellite's current orbital distance to assess disruption risk.
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Formula
d_Roche = 2.456 × R × (ρ_primary / ρ_secondary)^(1/3)Related Calculators
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Calculate tidal forces, Roche limit, Hill sphere, and tidal locking timescales for celestial bodies.
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Calculate orbital period using Kepler's laws. Find orbital velocity, angular velocity, and perihelion/aphelion distances.
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Calculate transit depth, duration, probability, and timing for exoplanet transits.
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