Explore the Roche limit - the distance where tidal forces disrupt a satellite. Compare fluid (~2.44 R) and rigid (~1.26 R) equal-density limits, then scrub orbital distance in primary radii.
Published teaching figures: fluid Roche factor ~2.44 R, rigid ~1.26 R for equal-density bodies (classic Roche / celestial-mechanics summaries).
Drag to orbit and scroll or pinch to zoom. Scrub distance, switch fluid/rigid mode, or play an inbound approach that crosses the limit.
Roche Limit 3D Explorer
This browser explorer shows the Roche limit as a teaching schematic - not an N-body hydrodynamics solver. A moon outside the limit stays intact; inside the limit, the scene swaps the sphere for shards to mark tidal disruption.
For equal-density bodies, the classic fluid Roche factor is about 2.44 primary radii and the rigid approximation is about 1.26 primary radii. Saturn's main rings sit inside a fluid-like Roche scale for ice - Saturn Rings 3D teaches ring bands; this page teaches the limit itself. Tidal Locking 3D teaches synchronous spin, not disruption distance.
Scrub distance in primary radii, toggle fluid versus rigid mode, or play an inbound approach. The facts panel lists the same figures.
- Primary planet with orange fluid (2.44 R) and green rigid (1.26 R) limit rings
- Moon sphere that becomes shards when inside the active limit
- Distance slider in primary radii with play/pause approach
- Fluid / rigid mode toggle
- Published 2.44 / 1.26 equal-density teaching figures
- Distinct from tidal-locking (synchronous spin) and saturn-rings (band radii)
- Runs fully in the browser with the vendored three.js engine - no account, no upload
Students see why rings form inside a Roche scale; teachers contrast fluid versus rigid factors; curious readers connect "torn by tides" language to a measurable multiple of planet radius.
| Figure | Value | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Fluid Roche limit | ~2.44 R | Equal-density fluid satellite (classic Roche factor) |
| Rigid Roche limit | ~1.26 R | Equal-density rigid-body approximation |
| Distance unit | primary radii (R) | Slider compares orbit to the chosen factor |
| Density assumption | equal primary / satellite | Teaching simplification; real bodies differ |
Everything renders on your device with WebGL. The 3D engine loads once (about 0.7 MB) and is cached; no scene data is sent to a server.
This is an educational Roche-limit schematic - not an N-body hydrodynamics solver.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, read the Roche Limit 3D Explorer step-by-step guide. The Space 3D collection also includes Tidal Locking 3D and Saturn Rings 3D.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Roche Limit 3D Explorer show?
A teaching schematic of the Roche limit with fluid (~2.44 R) and rigid (~1.26 R) equal-density markers, a distance slider, and a moon that becomes shards inside the active limit.
What is the fluid Roche factor?
About 2.44 primary radii for an equal-density fluid satellite - the classic Roche teaching figure used in celestial-mechanics summaries.
What is the rigid Roche factor?
About 1.26 primary radii for an equal-density rigid-body approximation. Toggle Mode to compare the green rigid ring with the orange fluid ring.
How is this different from Tidal Locking 3D?
Tidal Locking 3D teaches synchronous spin (one face toward the planet). This page teaches the disruption distance where tides tear a satellite apart.
How is this different from Saturn Rings 3D?
Saturn Rings 3D teaches C/B/A band radii and the Cassini Division. This page teaches why ring material can survive inside a Roche-scale distance.
Is this a hydrodynamics simulation?
No. It is an educational Roche-limit schematic - not an N-body or fluid solver. Densities are equal for the classic 2.44 / 1.26 factors.