Lagrangeplaneten

Lagrange points, often referred to as L-points or Lagrangian points, are specific locations in space where the gravitational forces of a two-body system, such as the Sun and Earth, act in concert with the orbital motion of a body. These points are named after the Italian-French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange.

There are five such points, designated L1 through L5, for any given two-body system. L1 is located on the line connecting the two bodies, between them. L2 is on this line, but beyond the smaller body. L3 is also on this line, but beyond the larger body. L4 and L5 are located in the orbits of the two bodies, forming equilateral triangles with them.

Objects placed at these Lagrange points experience a stable or semi-stable gravitational pull, allowing them to maintain a relatively fixed position with respect to the two main bodies. L1, L2, and L3 are points of unstable equilibrium, meaning that any small displacement will cause an object to drift away. However, with station-keeping maneuvers, spacecraft can remain in these locations. L4 and L5 are points of stable equilibrium, meaning that objects placed there will tend to return to the point if disturbed.

Lagrange points are of significant interest for space exploration and astronomy. For instance, solar observatories are often placed at the Sun-Earth L1 point to get an unobstructed view of the Sun. The James Webb Space Telescope is located at the Sun-Earth L2 point. The stability of L4 and L5 makes them potential locations for future space habitats or for capturing asteroids.