spaghettification


spa·ghet·ti·fi·ca·tion

S5652950 (spə-gĕt′ə-fĭ-kā′shən)n. Physics The extreme elongation or stretching of an object by tidal forces as it falls toward an extremely massive and compact astronomical body, such as a black hole or neutron star.
[spaghetti + -fication.]

spaghettification

(spəˌɡɛtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) n (Astronomy) physics the theoretical process by which an object approaching a black hole is progressively broken down into a long thin string of particles by increasing gravitational forces, esp the vast difference in gravitational strength at either end of the object Also called: noodle effect [C20: because the gravitational forces would appear to stretch the object into a long thin string resembling a strand of spaghetti] spaˈghettiˌfy vb