Strong Tidal Forces Research Articles

Implications of Tides for Life on Exoplanets.

As evident from the nearby examples of Proxima Centauri and TRAPPIST-1, Earth-sized planets in the habitable zone of low-mass stars are common. Here, we focus on such planetary systems and argue that their (oceanic) tides could be more prominent due to stronger tidal forces. We identify the conditions under which tides may exert a significant positive influence on biotic processes including abiogenesis, biological rhythms, nutrient upwelling, and stimulating photosynthesis. We conclude our analysis with the identification of large-scale algal blooms as potential temporal biosignatures in reflectance light curves that can arise indirectly as a consequence of strong tidal forces. Key Words: Tidal effects-Abiogenesis-Biological clocks-Planetary habitability-Temporal biosignatures. Astrobiology 18, 967-982.

On the tidal environment of an outwardly migrating F ring

Saturns F-ring is a unique, narrow ring that lies (radially) close to the tidally disruptive Roche limit of water ice for Saturn. Significant work has been done that shows it to be one of the most dynamic places in the Solar System. Aggregates that are fortunate enough to form constantly battle against the strong tidal forces of Saturn and the nearby moons Prometheus and Pandora, which act to gravitationally stir up ring material. Planetary rings are also known to radially spread. Therefore, as the F ring lies at the edge of the main rings, we investigate the effect of an outwardly migrated F ring and its interaction with Prometheus. An increase in the maximum number density of particles at the channel edges is observed with decreasing local tidal environment. Radial velocity dispersions are also observed to fall below the typical escape velocity of a 150m icy moonlet (<10 cm s^(-1)) where density is enhanced, and are gravitationally unstable with Toomre parameters Q<2. Additionally, in locations of the ring where Q<2 is observed, more particles are seen to fall below or close to the critical Toomre parameter as the radial location of the ring increases.

Gravitational interactions of stars with supermassive black hole binaries – I. Tidal disruption events

Stars approaching supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in the centers of galaxies can be torn apart by strong tidal forces. We study the physics of tidal disruption by a binary SMBH as a function of the binary mass ratio $q = M_2 / M_1$ and separation $a$, exploring a large set of points in the parameter range $q \in [0.01, 1]$ and $a/r_{t1} \in [10, 1000]$. We simulate encounters in which field stars approach the binary from the loss cone on parabolic, low angular momentum orbits. We present the rate of disruption and the orbital properties of the disrupted stars, and examine the fallback dynamics of the post-disruption debris in the "frozen-in" approximation. We conclude by calculating the time-dependent disruption rate over the lifetime of the binary. Throughout, we use a primary mass $M_1 = 10^6 M_\odot$ as our central example. We find that the tidal disruption rate is a factor of $\sim 2 - 7$ times larger than the rate for an isolated BH, and is independent of $q$ for $q \gtrsim 0.2$. In the "frozen-in" model, disruptions from close, nearly equal mass binaries can produce intense tidal fallbacks: for binaries with $q \gtrsim 0.2$ and $a/r_{t1} \sim 100$, roughly $\sim 18 - 40 \%$ of disruptions will have short rise times ($t_\textrm{rise} \sim 1 - 10$ d) and highly super-Eddington peak return rates ($\dot{M}_\textrm{peak} / \dot{M}_\textrm{Edd} \sim 2 \times 10^2 - 3 \times 10^3$).

Radiation hydrodynamics simulations of the formation of direct-collapse supermassive stellar systems

Formation of supermassive stars (SMSs) with mass ~10^4 Msun is a promising pathway to seed the formation of supermassive black holes in the early universe. The so-called direct-collapse (DC) model postulates that such an SMS forms in a hot gas cloud irradiated by a nearby star-forming galaxy. We study the DC SMS formation in a fully cosmological context using three-dimensional radiation hydrodynamics simulations. We initialize our simulations using the outputs of the cosmological simulation of Chon et al. (2016), where two DC gas clouds are identified. The long-term evolution over a hundred thousand years is followed from the formation of embryo protostars through their growth to SMSs. We show that the strength of the tidal force by a nearby galaxy determines the multiplicity of the formed stars and affects the protostellar growth. In one case, where a collapsing cloud is significantly stretched by strong tidal force, multiple star-disk systems are formed via filament fragmentation. Small-scale fragmentation occurs in each circumstellar disk, and more than 10 stars with masses of a few times 10^3 Msun are finally formed. Interestingly, about a half of them are found as massive binary stars. In the other case, the gas cloud collapses nearly spherically under a relatively weak tidal field, and a single star-disk system is formed. Only a few SMSs with masses ~ 10^4 Msun are found already after evolution of a hundred thousand years, and the SMSs are expected to grow further by gas accretion and to leave massive blackholes at the end of their lives.

Resolving high-frequency internal waves generated at an isolated coral atoll using an unstructured grid ocean model

We apply the unstructured grid hydrodynamic model SUNTANS to investigate the internal wave dynamics around Scott Reef, Western Australia, an isolated coral reef atoll located on the edge of the continental shelf in water depths of 500,m and more. The atoll is subject to strong semi-diurnal tidal forcing and consists of two relatively shallow lagoons separated by a 500 m deep, 2 km wide and 15 km long channel. We focus on the dynamics in this channel as the internal tide-driven flow and resulting mixing is thought to be a key mechanism controlling heat and nutrient fluxes into the reef lagoons. We use an unstructured grid to discretise the domain and capture both the complex topography and the range of internal wave length scales in the channel flow. The model internal wave field shows super-tidal frequency lee waves generated by the combination of the steep channel topography and strong tidal flow. We evaluate the model performance using observations of velocity and temperature from two through water-column moorings in the channel separating the two reefs. Three different global ocean state estimate datasets (global HYCOM, CSIRO Bluelink, CSIRO climatology atlas) were used to provide the model initial and boundary conditions, and the model outputs from each were evaluated against the field observations. The scenario incorporating the CSIRO Bluelink data performed best in terms of through-water column Murphy skill scores of water temperature and eastward velocity variability in the channel. The model captures the observed vertical structure of the tidal (M2) and super-tidal (M4) frequency temperature and velocity oscillations. The model also predicts the direction and magnitude of the M2 internal tide energy flux. An energy analysis reveals a net convergence of the M2 energy flux and a divergence of the M4 energy flux in the channel, indicating the channel is a region of either energy transfer to higher frequencies or energy loss to dissipation. This conclusion is supported by the mooring observations that reveal high frequency lee waves breaking on the turning phase of the tide.

Upper-twin-peak quasiperiodic oscillation in x-ray binaries and the energy from tidal circularization of relativistic orbits

High frequency quasiperiodic oscillations (HF QPOs) detected in the power spectra of low mass x-ray binaries (LMXBs) could unveil the fingerprints of gravitation in strong field regime. Using the energy-momentum relation we calculate the energy a clump of plasma orbiting in the accretion disk releases during circularization of its slightly eccentric relativistic orbit. Following previous works, we highlight the strong tidal force as mechanism to dissipate such energy. We show that tides acting on the clump are able to reproduce the observed coherence of the upper HF QPO seen in LMXBs with a neutron star (NS). The quantity of energy released by the clump and relativistic boosting might give a modulation amplitude in agreement with that observed in the upper HF QPO. Both the amplitude and coherence of the upper HF QPO in NS LMXBs could allow us to disclose, for the first time, the tidal circularization of relativistic orbits occurring around a neutron star.

Observability of characteristic binary-induced structures in circumbinary disks

Context. A substantial fraction of protoplanetary disks form around stellar binaries. The binary system generates a time-dependent non-axisymmetric gravitational potential, inducing strong tidal forces on the circumbinary disk. This leads to a change in basic physical properties of the circumbinary disk, which should in turn result in unique structures that are potentially observable with the current generation of instruments.Aims. The goal of this study is to identify these characteristic structures, constrain the physical conditions that cause them, and evaluate the feasibility of observing them in circumbinary disks.Methods. To achieve this, first we perform 2D hydrodynamic simulations. The resulting density distributions are post-processed with a 3D radiative transfer code to generate re-emission and scattered light maps. Based on these distributions, we study the influence of various parameters, such as the mass of the stellar components, mass of the disk, and binary separation on observable features in circumbinary disks.Results. We find that the Atacama Large (sub-)Millimetre Array (ALMA) as well as the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) are capable of tracing asymmetries in the inner region of circumbinary disks, which are affected most by the binary-disk interaction. Observations at submillimetre/millimetre wavelengths allow the detection of the density waves at the inner rim of the disk and inner cavity. With the E-ELT one can partially resolve the innermost parts of the disk in the infrared wavelength range, including the disk’s rim, accretion arms, and potentially the expected circumstellar disks around each of the binary components.

Unified treatment of tidal disruption by Schwarzschild black holes

Stars on orbits with pericenters sufficiently close to the supermassive black hole at the center of their host galaxy can be ripped apart by tidal stresses. Some of the resulting stellar debris becomes more tightly bound to the hole and can potentially produce an observable flare called a tidal-disruption event (TDE). We provide a self-consistent, unified treatment of TDEs by non-spinning (Schwarzschild) black holes, investigating several effects of general relativity including changes to the boundary in phase space that defines the loss-cone orbits on which stars are tidally disrupted or captured. TDE rates decrease rapidly at large black-hole masses due to direct stellar capture, but this effect is slightly countered by the widening of the loss cone due to the stronger tidal fields in general relativity. We provide a new mapping procedure that translates between Newtonian gravity and general relativity, allowing us to better compare predictions in both gravitational theories. Partial tidal disruptions in relativity will strip more material from the star and produce more tightly bound debris than in Newtonian gravity for a stellar orbit with the same angular momentum. However, for deep encounters leading to full disruption in both theories, the stronger tidal forces in relativity imply that the star is disrupted further from the black hole and that the debris is therefore less tightly bound, leading to a smaller peak fallback accretion rate. We also examine the capture of tidal debris by the horizon and the relativistic pericenter precession of tidal debris, finding that black holes of $10^6$ solar masses and above generate tidal debris precessing by $10^\circ$ or more per orbit.

AN ECCENTRIC BINARY MILLISECOND PULSAR WITH A HELIUM WHITE DWARF COMPANION IN THE GALACTIC FIELD

ABSTRACT Low-mass white dwarfs (LMWDs) are believed to be exclusive products of binary evolution, as the universe is not old enough to produce them from single stars. Because of the strong tidal forces operating during the binary interaction phase, the remnant systems observed today are expected to have negligible eccentricities. Here, we report on the first unambiguous identification of an LMWD in an eccentric (e = 0.13) orbit around the millisecond pulsar PSR J2234+0511, which directly contradicts this picture. We use our spectra and radio-timing solution (derived elsewhere) to infer the WD temperature ( K), and peculiar systemic velocity relative to the local standard of rest ( km s−1). We also place model-independent constraints on the WD radius ( ) and surface gravity ( dex). The WD and kinematic properties are consistent with the expectations for low-mass X-ray binary evolution and disfavor a dynamic three-body formation channel. In the case of the high eccentricity being the result of a spontaneous phase transition, we infer a mass of ∼1.60 M ⊙ for the pulsar progenitor, which is too low for the quark-nova mechanism proposed by Jiang et al., and too high for the scenario of Freire &amp; Tauris, in which a WD collapses into a neutron star via a rotationally delayed accretion-induced collapse. We find that eccentricity pumping via interaction with a circumbinary disk is consistent with our inferred parameters. Finally, we report tentative evidence for pulsations that, if confirmed, would transform the star into an unprecedented laboratory for WD physics.

Long-Term Morphological Modeling of Barrier Island Tidal Inlets

The primary focus of this study is to apply a two-dimensional (2-D) coupled flow-wave-sediment modeling system to simulate the development and growth of idealized barrier island tidal inlets. The idealized systems are drawn from nine U.S. coastal inlets representing Pacific Coast, Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast geographical and climatological environments. A morphological factor is used to effectively model 100 years of inlet evolution and the resulting morphological state is gauged in terms of the driving hydrodynamic processes. Overall, the model performs within the range of established theoretically predicted inlet cross-sectional area. The model compares favorably to theoretical models of maximum inlet currents, which serve as a measure of inlet stability. Major morphological differences are linked to inlet geometry and tidal forcing. Narrower inlets develop channels that are more aligned with the inlet axis while wider inlets develop channels that appear as immature braided channel networks similar to tidal flats in regions with abundant sediment supply. Ebb shoals with strong tidal forcing extend further from shore and spread laterally, promoting multi-lobe development bisected by ebb shoal channels. Ebb shoals with moderate tidal forcing form crescent bars bracketing a single shore-normal channel. Longshore transport contributes to ebb shoal asymmetry and provides bed material to help maintain the sediment balance in the bay.

Tidal stripping as a test of satellite quenching in redMaPPer clusters

When dark matter halos are accreted by massive host clusters, strong gravitational tidal forces begin stripping mass from the accreted subhalos. This stripping eventually removes all mass beyond a subhalo's tidal radius, but the unbound mass remains in the vicinity of the satellite for at least a dynamical time t_dyn. The N-body subhalo study of Chamberlain et al. verified this picture and pointed out a useful observational consequence: measurements of subhalo correlations beyond the tidal radius are sensitive to the infall time, t_infall, of the subhalo onto its host. We perform this cross-correlation measurement using ~ 160,000 red satellite galaxies in SDSS redMaPPer clusters and find evidence that subhalo correlations do persist well beyond the tidal radius, suggesting that many of the observed satellites fell into their current host less than a dynamical time ago, t_infall < t_dyn. Combined with estimated dynamical times t_dyn ~ 3-5 Gyr and SED fitting results for the time at which satellites stopped forming stars, t_quench ~ 6 Gyr, we infer that for a significant fraction of the satellites, star formation quenched before those satellites entered their current hosts. The result holds for red satellites over a large range of cluster-centric distances 0.1 - 0.6 Mpc/h. We discuss the implications of this result for models of galaxy formation.

Constraints on dissipation in the deep interiors of Ganymede and Europa from tidal phase-lags

Jupiter’s satellites are subject to strong tidal forces which result in variations of the gravitational potential and deformations of the satellites’ surfaces on the diurnal tidal cycle. Such variations are described by the Love numbers $$k_2$$ and $$h_2$$ for the tide-induced potential variation due to internal mass redistribution and the radial surface displacement, respectively. The phase-lags $$ \phi _{k_2}$$ and $$ \phi _{h_2}$$ of these complex numbers contain information about the rheological and dissipative states of the satellites. Starting from interior structure models and assuming a Maxwell rheology to compute the tidal deformation, we calculate the phase-lags in application to Ganymede and Europa. For both satellites we assume a decoupling of the outer ice-shell from the deep interior by a liquid subsurface water ocean. We show that, in this case, the phase-lag difference $$\varDelta \phi = \phi _{k_2}- \phi _{h_2}$$ can provide information on the rheological and thermal state of the deep interiors if the viscosities of the deeper layers are small. In case of Ganymede, phase-lag differences can reach values of a few degrees for high-pressure ice viscosities $${<}10^{14}$$ Pa s and would indicate a highly dissipative state of the deep interior. In this case $$\varDelta \phi $$ is dominated by dissipation in the high-pressure ice layer rather than dissipation within the ice-I shell. These phase lags would be detectable from spacecraft in orbit around the satellite. For Europa $$\varDelta \phi $$ could reach values exceeding $$20^\circ $$ and phase-lag measurements could help distinguish between (1) a hot dissipative silicate mantle which would in thermal equilibrium correspond to a very thin outer ice-I shell and (2) a cold deep interior implying that dissipation would mainly occur in a thick (several tens of km) outer ice-I shell. These measurements are highly relevant for ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and NASA’s Europa Multiple Flyby Mission, both targeted for the Jupiter system.

Open boundary conditions for tidally and subtidally forced circulation in a limited‐area coastal model using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS)

AbstractIn limited‐area ocean models, open boundary conditions (OBCs) often create dynamic inconsistencies and perform poorly in resolving tidal or subtidal flow when both forces exist. Orlanski‐type radiation OBCs are reasonably efficient at treating the subtidally forced flow, and Flather‐type OBCs are commonly adapted for the tidally forced flow. However, neither of them performs well when tidal and subtidal forces simultaneously drive the flows. We have developed a novel OBC that integrates the active OBC in Gan and Allen (2005) and a Flather‐type OBC. This new OBC accommodates the concurrent Tidal and Subtidal (TST) forcing, and the respective tidal or subtidal forcing, at the open boundary of a limited‐area model. This new TST‐OBC treats the tidal component with a Flather‐type OBC, and it separates subtidal barotropic and baroclinic components into local (forced) and global (unforced) components. Then an unforced Orlanski‐type OBC can be applied to the global part. We applied the TST‐OBC to all model variables to reduce dynamic inconsistence. Using the Regional Ocean Modeling System, we applied the TST‐OBC to the shallow East China Sea shelf where strong tidal and subtidal forces over complex topography govern the circulation. Our numerical experiments and analyses suggest that the TST‐OBC was robust for both concurrent tidal‐subtidal forcing and solely tidal or subtidal forcing at the open boundary. It reduced spurious energy reflection, and, overall, it performed better than an Orlanski‐type or Flather‐type OBC in reproducing realistic tidal and subtidal shelf circulation.

High frequency (hourly) variation in vertical distribution and abundance of meroplanktonic larvae in nearshore waters during strong internal tidal forcing

We related the vertical distribution and abundance of nearshore meroplankton at hourly time scales with internal tidal wave events. We proposed that significant changes in plankter abundance would occur across internal tidal fronts, and that surface and bottom strata would respond in opposite fashions. First-mode internal tidal bores propagating in the alongshore direction were detected in water-column currents and baroclinic temperature changes. Surface and bottom currents always flowed in opposite directions, and abrupt flow reversals coincided with large temperature changes during arrival of bores. Crab zoeae and barnacle cyprids were more abundant in the bottom strata, whereas barnacle nauplii showed the opposite pattern. Significant changes in vertical distribution and abundance of target meroplankters occurred across internal tidal fronts, especially for crabs at depth, with surface and bottom organisms responding in opposite fashions. Changes in plankter abundance were significantly correlated with current flows in the strata where they were most abundant. The manner in which plankters were affected (increasing or decreasing abundance) appeared to be modulated by their vertical position within the water column. The significant differences found at the high frequencies of this study, maintained across sampling days, suggest that nearshore meroplankton populations may have greater and more consistent temporal and vertical variability than previously considered.

Dissipation in rocky planets for strong tidal forcing

Aims. We plan to reproduce a previously published calculation for the tidal dissipation in Io and extend the employed model to investigate the heat transport mechanism in Io and the thickness of Io’s asthenosphere. Additionally, we apply this model to an exoplanet and obtain insights into the dependencies of the modified tidal quality factor (Q ′) on the size of the planet and its orbital eccentricity.Methods. Tidal dissipation depends on the heat transport mechanism. For strong tidal forcing an equilibrium between heat transport by convection and heat production by tidal dissipation can be obtained that determines the tidal dissipation. By this means, we checked whether convection is the dominant heat transport mechanism in Io. The tidal dissipation also depends on the interior model of Io. We considered various asthenosphere thicknesses and determined which of these gives results compatible with observations. We determined the modified tidal quality factors (Q ′) for Corot 7 b for various orbital parameters, but in a way that tidal forcing is strong. We used convection and melt migration as possible heat transport mechanism. We repeated this for a hypothetical planet with the size and density of Io on the orbit of Corot 7 b.Results. We find that a heat transport dominated by convection in Io is possible, but the grain sizes need to be smaller than 2.2 mm. For larger grain sizes melt migration is the dominant heat transport mechanism. Moreover, Io’s asthenosphere needs to be thicker than 100 km. The computation of the modified tidal quality factors (Q ′) for Corot 7 b and a planet with the size and density of Io on the orbit of Corot 7 b show that Q ′ is scattered over several orders of magnitude, but a value of 100 for Q ′ is an acceptable estimate for a rocky planet under strong tidal forcing.

The extended stellar substructures of four metal-poor globular clusters in the Galactic bulge

AbstractWe investigated the stellar density substructures around four metal-poor globular clusters (NGC 6266, NGC 6626, NGC 6642, and NGC 6723) in the Galactic bulge. Wide-field near-infrared (JHKs) imaging data were obtained from WFCAM of UKIRT telescope. Field stars contamination around the globular clusters was reduced by using a statistical weighted filtering algorithm. Tidal stripping stellar substructures in the form of tidal tail (NGC 6266 and NGC 6626) or small density lobes/chunk (NGC 6642 and NGC 6723) were found around the four globular clusters in the two-dimensional density contour maps. We also find the overdensity features, which deviate from the theoretical models, in the outer region of radial density profiles. The observed results imply that the four globular clusters have experienced a strong tidal force or the bulge/disk shock effect of the Galaxy.

Evidences of an innermost stable bound orbit predicted by general relativity from the amplitude of the twin-peak quasiperiodic oscillations

The twin-peak high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs), observed in the power spectra of low-mass X-ray binaries, might carry relevant clues about the physics laws reigning close to a compact object. Their frequencies are typical of the orbital motion time-scales a few gravitational radii away from the compact object. The aim of the manuscript is to propose an intuitive model explaining that the energy carried by the lower HF QPO can be related to differences of potential energy released by clumps of plasma spiraling in a curved space-time. Our model provides estimates on both the size of clumps of matter that can survive to the strong tidal force and energy loaded by tides on the clump. We also have obtained some constraints on the mechanical properties of the plasma orbiting into the accretion disk. We note that the systematic behavior of the emitted energy as function of the central frequency of the lower HF QPO, observed in several sources with a neutron star, might give clues related to an innermost stable bound orbit predicted by the General Relativity theory in strong field regime.

Effects of mixing-induced irradiance fluctuations on nitrogen uptake in size-fractionated coastal phytoplankton communities

In coastal waters subjected to strong tidal forcing, phytoplankton populations are exposed to highly variable light regimes. To grow under such fluctuating light environments, phytoplankton adjust their physiological properties. Here, we investigated nitrogen (N) uptake patterns in the western English Channel to determine whether phytoplankton modify their physiological processes involved in N uptake in response to changing irradiance conditions induced by spring-neap tidal cycles. Nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) uptake kinetics as a function of irradiance (VN-E curves) were assessed using 15N tracer techniques on two size fractions (<10 and >10 μm) of phytoplankton collected at 50% and 1% of surface irradiance during two spring-neap tidal cycles. Overall, the results showed that both small and large phytoplankton, whatever their vertical position in the water column, increased their maximum uptake capacity and their light utilization efficiency for the two N substrates following the decrease in vertical mixing intensity. Moreover, the improvement of irradiance conditions at neap tides was of greater benefit for the larger cells than for the smaller ones and was more favorable for NO3− uptake than for NH4+ uptake. These findings show that the light regime fluctuation resulting from the relaxation of tidal mixing during spring-neap tidal cycle leads to profound physiological adjustments of N uptake processes in phytoplankton communities. They suggest that the changes in NO3− uptake by large phytoplankton associated with the fortnightly spring-neap tidal cycle can account for most of the deviation in background productivity in the western English Channel which is based on NH4+ and is dominated by small cells. The dynamic light regime inherent to macrotidal coastal ecosystems could therefore determine, to a large extent, the importance of new vs. regenerated production as well as the size structure of the phytoplankton community.

Sculpting the central parsec of our Galaxy

AbstractRecent observations have revealed various structures within the gravitational influence of Sgr A* – the massive black hole in the Galactic center. These structures apparently defy the fundamental principles of star formation and stellar dynamics. On one hand, the red giants display a flat density profile, contrary to the cuspy one predicted by conventional stellar relaxation. On the other, Wolf-Rayet and OB stars are observed where in-situ star formation should have been prohibited by the strong tidal force from Sgr A*, and their spatial and phase-space distributions also contradict our understanding of stellar dynamics. To explain each of these inconsistencies, many scenarios have been proposed, which render the model increasingly complicated. Here, we suggest that the sub-parsec stellar disk surrounding Sgr A*, which was recently discovered, can reconcile all the above inconsistencies. We show that during the fragmenting past of this disk, the star-forming clumps could efficiently deplete red giants by repeatedly colliding with them. We also show that because of the torque exerted by the disk, stars within the central arcsec from Sgr A* would quickly mix in the angular-momentum space, which naturally explains the observed distributions of Wolf-Rayet and OB stars. Our results imply that Sgr A* was fueled by gas and stars several millions years ago and could have been an energetic AGN. We discuss future observations that can further testify our model.

Physics at the surface of a star in Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld Gravity

We study phenomena happening at the surface of a star in Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity. The star is made of particles, which are effectively described by a polytropic fluid. The EiBI theory was known to have a pathology that singularities happen at a star surface. We suggest that the gravitational backreaction on the particles cures the problem. Strong tidal forces near the (surface) singularity modify the effective equation of state of the particles or make the surface be unstable depending on its matter contents. The geodesic deviation equations take after Hooke's law, where its frequency squared is proportional to the scalar curvature at the surface. For a positive curvature, a particle collides with a probing wall more often and increases the pressure. With the increased pressure, the surface is no longer singular. For a negative curvature, the matters around the surface experience repulsions with infinite accelerations. Therefore, the EiBI gravity is saved from the pathology of a surface singularity.