Answer: Édouard Roche
Some extra relevant information:
The first astronomer to calculate the Roche limit was Edouard Roche, a French astronomer and mathematician. In 1848, Roche derived the formula for the Roche limit, which predicts the minimum distance at which a celestial body, such as a moon or a satellite, will disintegrate due to tidal forces caused by the gravitational pull of a larger celestial object.
The Roche limit is an important concept in astronomy as it helps to explain the formation and evolution of celestial bodies. It determines how close a satellite can orbit a planet or a moon without being torn apart by tidal forces. Any satellite orbiting within the Roche limit will be tidally disrupted, leading to the formation of an asteroid belt or a planetary ring system.
Roche’s calculations and theories have greatly contributed to our understanding of celestial mechanics and have been instrumental in explaining various phenomena in the universe. Today, his work continues to be used by astronomers and astrophysicists to study the dynamics of celestial objects and their interactions.