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Miscel-

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Lagrange Points Applet (1)

The Lagrangian points are the five positions in an orbital configuration where a small object affected only by gravity can theoretically be stationary relative to two larger objects (such as a satellite with respect to the Sun and Earth):




Lagrange Applet (2)

An article of N. Treitz inspired me to write this applet.

Lagrange points applet


A circular orbit around the common center of mass bc of the two bodies is assumed (circular restricted three body problem). The distance of the bodies M and m is
a = rM + rm.

The barycenter bc of the masses M and m is at distance rM = a·m/(M+m) from the center of M
.

The three curves of my applet represent the accelerations (positive to the right, negative to the left). At the position
x=r of the Lagrange point L1 we have:
aM (red) by the mass M (red), at distance r+rM from the center of M
am (blue) by the mass m (blue), at distance a-rM-r from the center of m
a (green) the resulting sum of the accelerations.

acceleration Langrange point

menu Select from the view options of the menu.
rotate fast  roration

You may use the key "r", or "R" (shift key and "r", faster) to rotate the system around the center of mass.
Click the applet first !
Select "Reset" to return.

data

Select "Data Sun-Earth" from the menu:

Lagrange Points Sun Earth

The solutions of my simple iteration method agree within 10-6 % with those by a series (Th. Münch)


Select "Data Earth-Moon" from the menu:
 
lagrangian points Earth Moon

The solutions of my simple iteration method agree within 10-2 % with those by a series (Th. Münch)

distance L1 from Moon

For the Earth-Moon system (M/m=81.3) the point L1 is at a distance of 0.163·a from the Moon


Web Links

N. Treitz:  am Himmel, Spektrum der Wissenschaft, Oktober 2006

The Lagrange Points (NASA)

The Lagrange Points

Effective Potential and the Lagrangian Points

Gravitation Simulations

The Lagrangian Points for a Planetary Orbit

Lagrangian point (wikipedia)

Gaia's Lissajous Type Orbit

Klemperer Rosettes

Satellite in the triangular libration point (example 7)

Lagrange points for two similar masses

Satellites
Click, drag and release to set location, speed and direction. Try to manage a Lagrange point!

Orrery: Solar System Simulator

lagrange points

The Lagrange points in the Earth-Moon system

Th. Münch: The Three-Body Problem and the Lagrangian Points system

Determination of Lagrange Points


Updated: 2023, Oct 06