How many LaGrange points does the Earth/Moon system have?

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SUMMARY

The Earth/Moon system has a total of five LaGrange points, with two of these being stable and three classified as meta-stable. The stable points are located approximately 60 degrees ahead and behind the L1 and L2 points in the Moon's orbital path. This positioning allows for gravitational balance, making these points ideal for spacecraft positioning without the need for stationkeeping. The discussion clarifies the specific locations of these stable points relative to the Moon's orbit.

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  • Basic concepts of gravitational stability
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Greg Bernhardt
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A)How many LaGrange points does the Earth/Moon system have?

B) How many are stable (no stationkeeping necessary)?

C) Roughly where are the stable points located?

1/2 point point for each answered correctly
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
a)5
b)3
c)Half-distance moon- earth
 
Originally posted by Greg Bernhardt
A)How many LaGrange points does the Earth/Moon system have?
5
B) How many are stable (no stationkeeping necessary)?
2
C) Roughly where are the stable points located?
In the moon's orbital path about 60 degrees ahead and behind.
 
You both are wrong!

5 points

2 are stable

3 are meta-stable

If you form a straight line with the meta-stable points, the one stable point is 60 degress to the right of the L1 and L2 and the other stable points is 60 degrees to the left of the L1 and L2 points.


J-Man - your error lies in the fact that you did not say what it was 60 degrees ahead and behind of...

L1 and L2 follow the moon - and so the points are 60 degress right and left of the L1 and L2 points (and of course the moon too).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No J-man is right. Sadly I did not beat him to post it.
 
In the moon's orbital path about 60 degrees ahead and behind.

It looks like he said where they are to me. And we are both right in the scope of the question. Now that you edited your post, and tossed in a bit more info, you have it correct.
 
A. 6x10^34

B. 1

C. Right near the beach
 

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