Lagrangian points
Lagrangian points The locations where the gravitational attraction of two orbiting bodies is equal. Objects located at such points remain fixed so that they are favoured positions for future space stations. There are five such points in the Earth—Moon system; two of them, L4 and L5, lie 60° ahead of and behind the lunar orbit. The Trojan family of asteroids occupy positions close to two of the jovian Lagrangian points. Lagrangian points are named after the French astronomer Comte J. L. Lagrange (1736–1813).
More From encyclopedia.com
About this article
Lagrangian point
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Lagrangian point