Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space

How could planetary tides pull a small planet apart?

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Asked by Cat on 07 Oct 03:38

Last updated by Cat on 07 Oct 03:47

1 Answers

Answered by Cat on 07 Oct 03:47

Planetary tides pull a small planet apart because as two bodies orbit each other, the smaller one deforms slightly more. This change in shape can loosen the structure of the planet, causing even more tidal deformation, and eventually destroying the planet.