I How Do Moons Influence the James Webb Telescope's Position at Lagrange Point L2?

  • Thread starter Thread starter zuz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    L2
Click For Summary
The James Webb Telescope (JWST) operates at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), where the Moon's gravitational influence is minimal compared to Earth's mass. While the Moon's gravity is factored into calculations, it does not significantly affect the telescope's position or require frequent course corrections. The JWST maintains a slightly offset orbit from L2 to facilitate consistent correction maneuvers without needing to reorient the spacecraft. Small adjustments are necessary due to the inherent instability of L2 orbits. Overall, the Moon's impact on JWST's positioning is negligible, and the telescope's trajectory is carefully managed.
zuz
Messages
100
Reaction score
36
The James Webb Telescope is in one of Earths Lagrange points, (I believe it's in L2) How does the moons gravity affect this? Do they have to make course corrections?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
L2 is a million miles from Earth and the Earth's mass is about 80 time more than the Moon's. So the Moon does not have much effect on JWST that is different from just having a heavier Earth. That being said, I'm sure that the Moon is accounted for in their calculations. L2 orbits are not completely stable so small corrections would always be needed. The orbit of JWST is not exactly at L2. By staying slightly away from L2, the corrections are always in the same general direction so they don't require reorienting the spacecraft.
 
Last edited:
If you typed your question into Google verbatim, you would get an answer. Presumably you did that, and there was something you didn't understand. What would you like us to explain?
 
No I didn't post my question anywhere else. You guys always have an answer so that's why I came here. Thank you.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
If you typed your question into Google verbatim, you would get an answer. Presumably you did that, and there was something you didn't understand. What would you like us to explain?
zuz said:
No I didn't post my question anywhere else. You guys always have an answer so that's why I came here. Thank you.
Please always try a simple Google search first; I certainly do for my questions. At the very least, it helps you to post better questions here. Thank you.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes Vanadium 50

Thread 'Population 3 star (Pop III) candidate LAP1'

"Pop III stars are thought to be composed entirely of helium and hydrogen with trace amounts of lithium, the ingredients left over after the Big Bang. They formed early on, around 200 million years after the universe began. These stars are extremely rare because they died out long ago, although scientists have hoped that the faint light from these distant, ancient objects would be detectable. Previous Population III candidates have been ruled out because they didn't meet the three main...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Why is the Webb Space Telescope placed at L2?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
I Is it possible to build a Telescope the Size of Half the Solar System size using all Lagrange Points?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
B Questions about Lagrange points in the Pluto / Charon system
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
B How hot is the Sun in space? (James Webb related)
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
I What is the accuracy of parking spacecraft into Lagrange points?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
I Why does Webb orbit L2, is it because of the Moon?
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
6K
B Nervous about James Webb Space Telescope?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
B Is the barycentre of the Pluto - Charon system also the L1 point?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
B Effect of JWST mirror damage on final images
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Finding Lagrange Point L2: Gravity and Harmonics
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K