Rocheworlds

Rocheworlds are a hypothetical type of exoplanet that orbits extremely close to its host star, within the star's Roche lobe. The Roche lobe is the region of space around a celestial body where its gravity is dominant over the gravitational influence of another, larger celestial body. In the case of a Rocheworld, this means the planet is so close to its star that the star's tidal forces are incredibly strong.

These extreme tidal forces would have significant effects on the planet. A Rocheworld is likely to be tidally locked, meaning one side perpetually faces the star while the other remains in darkness. This would create extreme temperature differences, with one hemisphere being incredibly hot and the other frigid. Furthermore, the intense tidal forces could potentially tear the planet apart over time, especially if the planet has a low internal density or is composed of less cohesive materials.

The concept of Rocheworlds is derived from the Roche limit, which describes the minimum distance at which a celestial body held together by its own gravity can orbit another celestial body without being torn apart by tidal forces. Planets within their star's Roche lobe are by definition inside this limit. While no such planets have been definitively confirmed, they are considered a theoretical possibility in planetary system formation and evolution. The study of Rocheworlds helps astronomers understand the extreme conditions that planets can endure and the potential diversity of exoplanetary environments.