Lagrangian point

Definition

A Lagrangian point is a point of interplanetary gravitational stability in a two body orbital configuration.

Positions of the Lagrangian points

Example: The position of the L1, L2, L3 and L4,5 points in the Mars-Sun system.

The simplest Lagrangian point to understand is the "first Lagrangian" (or ${\displaystyle L_{1}}$) point between the Earth and the Sun. The point at which the gravitational pull of the Sun and the gravitational pull of the Earth cancels out (${\displaystyle g_{Earth}+g_{Sun}=0}$) creates an island of gravitational stability where space observatories, or indeed space stations, can be positioned.

${\displaystyle L_{2}}$ is located on the opposite side of the smallest orbital body (in this case, the Earth) to ${\displaystyle L_{1}}$. This very stable region is also useful to space observatories observing the cosmos. The Earth in this case will be constantly eclipsing the Sun, allowing sensitive optics to operate free of noise emitted from the Sun.

${\displaystyle L_{3}}$ is a less-stable Lagrangian point on the far side of the Sun. In this case, the Earth's gravitational force is negligable, allowing other planet's orbits to interfere with the gravitational stability of the region.

${\displaystyle L_{4}}$ and ${\displaystyle L_{5}}$ are points leading and trailing the orbiting body at an angle of approximately 60° from the Earth-Sun line. These points are also known as "Trojan points" where asteroids (known as Trojan asteriods) become captured by the relative gravitational stability and orbit with the orbital body.

Current missions using the Lagrangian points of the Earth-Sun system

• ${\displaystyle L_{1}}$
• ${\displaystyle L_{2}}$