roche-limit

In this chapter, the characters observe the moon being gravitationally captured by the Wanderer, causing it to deform and potentially break apart due to tidal forces within Roche's limit. Don Merriam pilots the Baba Yaga spacecraft into a vast chasm on the moon's surface, navigating a perilous descent while recalling heroic fictional escapes. Meanwhile, Paul Hagbolt and his group approach a guarded gate on Earth, requesting admission and assistance, highlighting tensions and uncertainty about the new planet's impact.