The Science of Interstellar: Tidal Wave

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The tidal wave on Miller's Planet in the film Interstellar has sparked debate regarding its scientific accuracy. Critics argue that the wave, depicted as a steep mountain-like structure, should not exist due to the gravitational effects of the nearby black hole, which would typically distribute tidal forces evenly across the planet's surface. However, a counterargument suggests that the planet's shallow oceans, only two feet deep, could allow for wave behavior similar to that of waves approaching a beach on Earth. This implies that friction with the ocean floor could cause the wave to appear as if it is on the verge of breaking. Additionally, the planet's tidal locking could influence the wave's characteristics, as friction from tidal forces might halt the planet's rotation while still allowing for a stationary crest of water. The discussion also touches on the complexities of tidal dynamics, including the relationship between tidal locking and eccentricity, and how these factors affect angular momentum and orbital energy.
DaveC426913
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One of the nitpicks about Interstellar the film is the tidal wave on Miller's Planet. Miller's Planet is deep in the gravity well of a monster black hole.

Lot's to unpack there but the upshot is that there's a tidal wave that sweeps around the planet shaped like a tall, very steep mountain (ostensibly 4,000 feeet tall, if the infographic is to be trusted):

1728788182255.png

1728789164299.png


The nitpick is that this should not be so. The black hole's effect on the ocean planet should be distributed across the planet's surface, like this:

1728788381278.png


Critics of the science of movie have drawn attention to this "flaw".


But in a conversation today I suddenly realized that it doesn't have to be that way. That idealized sweep of the tidal bulges in that example diagram assume an ocean deep enough that bottom friction plays no part in the surface behavior.

But we know that Miller's Planet does not have miles deep oceans - they're standing in two feet of water. What I say we're seeing here is a wave much like any wave approaching a beach on Earth - a state of almost cresting and breaking.

In Miller's Planet's case, the tide is sweeping around the planet under the pull of the BH and I say it just happens to be the right depth that fricton with the bottom is slowing it down enough to keep it on the verge of breaking. (We have no reason to believe the wave is perpetually in this state - for all we know, it broke immediately beyond the landing site in the story.)
1728789698096.png


No?
 
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DaveC426913 said:
One of the nitpicks about Interstellar the film is the tidal wave on Miller's Planet. Miller's Planet is deep in the gravity well of a monster black hole.

Lot's to unpack there but the upshot is that there's a tidal wave that sweeps around the planet shaped like a tall, very steep mountain (ostensibly 4,000 feeet tall, if the infographic is to be trusted):

View attachment 352198
View attachment 352200

The nitpick is that this should not be so. The black hole's effect on the ocean planet should be distributed across the planet's surface, like this:

View attachment 352199

Critics of the science of movie have drawn attention to this "flaw".


But in a conversation today I suddenly realized that it doesn't have to be that way. That idealized sweep of the tidal bulges in that example diagram assume an ocean deep enough that bottom friction plays no part in the surface behavior.

But we know that Miller's Planet does not have miles deep oceans - they're standing in two feet of water. What I say we're seeing here is a wave much like any wave approaching a beach on Earth - a state of almost cresting and breaking.

In Miller's Planet's case, the tide is sweeping around the planet under the pull of the BH and I say it just happens to be the right depth that fricton with the bottom is slowing it down enough to keep it on the verge of breaking. (We have no reason to believe the wave is perpetually in this state - for all we know, it broke immediately beyond the landing site in the story.)
View attachment 352201

No?
Kip Thorne put a book out, it's referenced on pf

The wave is mentioned by #10 in the pf thread

"Interstellar: A Visual Masterpiece with Disappointing Writing and Physics."​

 
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pinball1970 said:
Kip Thorne put a book out, it's referenced on pf
Yes. It's been too long since I read it to remember.
 
Right. Miller's Planet would be tidally locked.

The very process that creates the giant wave I speak of is friction. Plenty enough to grind the planet's rotation to a halt.

There would still be a crest of water, but it would be stationary.

Thanks everybody. Great discussion.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Thanks everybody. Great discussion

I think they all did it in 2014 Dave.
 
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DaveC426913 said:
Right. Miller's Planet would be tidally locked.

The very process that creates the giant wave I speak of is friction. Plenty enough to grind the planet's rotation to a halt.

There would still be a crest of water, but it would be stationary.

Thanks everybody. Great discussion.
Just because it is tidally locked does not, in itself, eliminate tides. You also have to get rid of eccentricity.
I assume that friction somehow works against eccentricity, too, but how? When a tidally locked, eccentric body loses eccentricity to tidal friction, what becomes of angular momentum and orbital energy?
 
Man, when the Devil comes a-knockin', he does not smell of sulphur and brimstone, he smells of sweet perfume and roses... Doing a bit of research for a short story. All I wanted was some examples of professions typical for jurors in a trial of the time and location of the story (1850s New Orleans - of which I am not very familiar, so I have my work cut out for me). ChatGPT delivered that very nicely, giving me a list of a dozen typical professions for the type of man that was eligible for...

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