Lagrangeplanetare

Lagrangeplaneten are celestial bodies that orbit within the gravitational influence of a larger primary body, such as a star, and a secondary, more massive body, like a planet. Specifically, they are found at the Sun-Earth L4 and L5 Lagrange points, which are areas of gravitational stability within the Sun-Earth system. These points are located 60 degrees ahead of and behind the Earth in its orbit around the Sun.

While the term "Lagrangeplanet" often implies a planet-sized object, it is more accurately used to describe any significant concentration of mass, including asteroids or even hypothetical planetoids, that reside in these stable locations. The first known Lagrangeplaneten were the Trojan asteroids, discovered in the early 20th century. These asteroids share Earth's orbit, with some preceding it at the L4 point and others trailing it at the L5 point.

The gravitational forces at the Lagrange points are balanced in such a way that an object placed there will remain relatively stationary with respect to the primary and secondary bodies. This stability makes these locations attractive for potential future space missions and astronomical observations, as they offer a steady platform away from the gravitational perturbations of the main bodies. While no planets are currently known to reside at these points in the Earth-Sun system, the concept remains relevant in the study of celestial mechanics and the potential formation and stability of planetary systems.