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

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter zuz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    L2
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the influence of the Moon's gravity on the James Webb Telescope (JWST) positioned at the Lagrange Point L2. Participants explore the implications of the Moon's gravitational effects on the telescope's orbit and the necessity for course corrections.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the JWST is located at L2 and questions how the Moon's gravity affects its position and whether course corrections are necessary.
  • Another participant argues that since L2 is a million miles from Earth and the Earth's mass is significantly greater than the Moon's, the Moon's effect on JWST is minimal compared to the Earth's influence. They suggest that while the Moon is accounted for in calculations, small corrections are always needed due to the instability of L2 orbits.
  • A participant emphasizes that the JWST's orbit is not exactly at L2, and by maintaining a position slightly away from L2, the corrections can be made in a consistent direction, avoiding the need for reorienting the spacecraft.
  • There are repeated comments questioning the need for the original poster to seek answers through a Google search before asking the forum, indicating a perceived expectation for self-research.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of the Moon's gravitational influence on the JWST, with some emphasizing its minimal impact and others acknowledging the need for course corrections without reaching a consensus on the extent of the Moon's effect.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the specific calculations or assumptions regarding the gravitational influences and course correction strategies for the JWST.

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:
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
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   Reactions: Vanadium 50

Similar threads

High School Why is the Webb Space Telescope placed at L2?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Undergrad Why does Webb orbit L2, is it because of the Moon?
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
6K
High School How hot is the Sun in space? (James Webb related)
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
High School Is the barycentre of the Pluto - Charon system also the L1 point?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School The Sun's Influence on the Moon's Orbit: Is it Negligible?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Finding Lagrange Point L2: Gravity and Harmonics
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad Did James Webb cast serious doubt on the Big Bang?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Stargazing How deep can Hubble Telescope see?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Lucy spacecraft and James Webb space telescope
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad How can an asteroid get caught at a Lagrange point without a "brake"?
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
8K