Lagrange points

E645103

Lagrange points are specific positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large bodies and the orbital motion of a smaller object balance so that the smaller object can remain in a stable or semi-stable location relative to the two larger bodies.

All labels observed (4)

Label Occurrences
Lagrange point 2
Lagrange points canonical 2
Lagrange point L1 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Lagrange point
celestial mechanics concept
orbital mechanics concept
alsoCalled collinear Lagrange point
collinear Lagrange point
collinear Lagrange point
triangular Lagrange point
triangular Lagrange point
appliesTo restricted three-body problem
characterizedBy balance of gravitational and centrifugal forces
enables Lissajous orbits
linked to: Lissajous orbit

halo orbits
field astrodynamics
astronomy
physics
firstDescribedBy Joseph-Louis Lagrange
firstDescribedIn 1772
formsShape equilateral triangle with two massive bodies
equilateral triangle with two massive bodies
governedBy Newtonian gravity
rotating reference frame dynamics
hasApplication Earth–Moon system
Earth–Sun system
linked to: Sun–Earth system

Sun–Jupiter system
hasDefinition position in a three-body system where gravitational and centrifugal forces balance
hasMember L1
L2
L3
L4
L5
hasQuantity five distinct points
namedAfter Joseph-Louis Lagrange
positioned at 60 degrees ahead of secondary body in its orbit
at 60 degrees behind secondary body in its orbit
on line connecting two massive bodies
on line connecting two massive bodies
on line connecting two massive bodies
requires third body of negligible mass
two massive bodies
stabilityType conditionally stable equilibrium
conditionally stable equilibrium
unstable equilibrium
unstable equilibrium
unstable equilibrium
usedIn satellite positioning
space mission design
space observatory placement

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (6)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Newtonian celestial mechanics explains Lagrange points
Jacobi integral relatedTo Lagrange points
Lissajous orbit orbitsAround Lagrange point
linked to: Lagrange points
Lissajous orbit isRelatedTo Lagrange point
linked to: Lagrange points
Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera spacecraftOrbitTypeObservedFrom Lagrange point L1
linked to: Lagrange points
Earth–Moon Lagrange region relatedTo Sun–Earth Lagrange points
linked to: Lagrange points