Lagrange points are called after the Italian astronomer and mathematician who initially proposed them. These are places in our solar system where the gravitational pull of any 2 planetary bodies, as well as the movement of their orbit, integrate to create a stability. It takes really little energy to orbit these positions.
Lagrange Points of the Earth-Sun system (not drawn to scale). Credit: NOAA
What are Lagrange points? They are places around a planets orbit where the gravitational pull of the planet and the Sun and the movement of the orbit integrate to create a balance– needing extremely little energy to remain in orbit.
NASAs Lucy mission will go to Jupiters Lagrange points where the Trojan asteroids have been gravitationally caught for billions of years, holding hints to the development of our planetary system. NASA researcher Dr. Adriana Ocampo has more.
Lagrange points are named after the Italian astronomer and mathematician who initially proposed them. These are places in our solar system where the gravitational pull of any 2 planetary bodies, as well as the motion of their orbit, combine to create a stability. It takes extremely little energy to orbit these positions.
Items that are sent out to these locations in area either tend to remain there naturally or can be kept there with minimal energy because the forces remain in balance.
NASAs benefiting from those Lagrange Points to send out two new extraordinary missions. The James Webb Space Telescope will orbit the Sun at Earths Lagrange Point number 2, permitting the telescope to remain in line with Earth as it moves around the Sun and retain that orbit utilizing very little fuel.
NASAs Lucy objective will study the pristine Trojan asteroids, the residues of our planetary system that have been gravitationally trapped around Jupiters Lagrange point number four and Lagrange Point number 5 for over 4 and a half billion years.
What are Lagrange points? They are locations in our planetary system where items can orbit the Sun at the same speed as a world staying in the same location relative to both of them.
By NASA
November 7, 2021