<p>It is.  Tidal disruption occurs when $\rho_{Jup}(R_{Jup}/R)^3$ > $\rho_{comet}$ where R is the separation and $\rho$ is the density.  The density of Jupiter is 1.33 g/$cm^3$ and the comet was estimated to have a density of only 0.5 g/$cm^3$ based on the radius at which it disrupted.  That is, disruption took place at separation R ~ $(1.33/0.5)^{1/3} R_{Jup}$.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-31T16:50:18.880Z
The rubble pile model of comets is taking a bit of a beating these days from Rosetta - 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, but the density of that oddly shaped object is still only 0.4 g/cc. It can't be *too* well cemented together. http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/67P/Churyumov%E2%80%93Gerasimenko
Wayfaring Stranger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-31T15:28:57.360Z
2014-10-31T15:41:32.287Z
2014-10-31T15:41:32.287Z
eshaya
<p>I understand that there are magnificent tidal forces that come with getting too close to Jupiter, but what is causing comets like Shoemaker-Levy to get torn apart?  </p>

<p>I wouldn't expect that the gravitational forces are so strong that spaghetification occurs, is it?</p>

<asteroids><comets><jupiter><tidal-forces>
Why does Jupiter break comets apart?
Scottie
# Why does Jupiter break comets apart?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-10-31)

I understand that there are magnificent tidal forces that come with getting too close to Jupiter, but what is causing comets like Shoemaker-Levy to get torn apart?

I wouldn't expect that the gravitational forces are so strong that spaghetification occurs, is it?

**Tags:** asteroids, comets, jupiter, tidal-forces


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-10-31. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

It is. Tidal disruption occurs when $\rho\_{Jup}(R\_{Jup}/R)^3$ > $\rho\_{comet}$ where R is the separation and $\rho$ is the density. The density of Jupiter is 1.33 g/$cm^3$ and the comet was estimated to have a density of only 0.5 g/$cm^3$ based on the radius at which it disrupted. That is, disruption took place at separation R ~ $(1.33/0.5)^{1/3} R\_{Jup}$.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: The rubble pile model of comets is taking a bit of a beating these days from Rosetta - 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, but the density of that oddly shaped object is still only 0.4 g/cc. It can't be *too* well cemented together. http://blogs.esa.int/rosetta/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/67P/Churyumov%E2%80%93Gerasimenko  

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