402 The Solar System [oh. xvi
(375*1), and necessarily so, since transitory tidal forces are necessarily less
potent than permanent ones, but it is not greatly less.
(c;
Fig. 60. Configurations of a liquid mass subjected to intense Tidal Forces.
Explanation.
(a) Undistorted sphere, and longest spheroid which is statically stable (e = 0 - 8826).
(b) Longest spheroid which is dynamically stable (e = 0-9477), and pear-shaped - figure
derived by third harmonic displacement.
(c) More elongated pear-shaped figure, and figure derived by fourth harmonic displacement.
(d) The last figure more elongated, and with fifth harmonic displacement superposed.
( e) Conjectural drawing of subsequent configuration.