Did you know that there are points in the orbit of an object around another object where we can place a satellite or other celestial body that can glide over it and remain in space, always at the same distance from both objects? This is known as Lagrangian points And they are more useful than you thought.
Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you what Lagrange points are, their characteristics and importance.
What are Lagrange points?
Lagrange points are a manifestation of celestial mechanics. They receive their name in honor of the French mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange, who discovered and studied them in depth in the XNUMXth century. These special points are found in the system formed by two bodies orbiting a third body, such as a planet and its moon, or a planet and the Sun.
Imagine that you have two bodies, one larger than the other, revolving around a central point, like the Sun. Well, the Lagrange points are specific locations in this configuration where the gravity of the two bodies balances equally. a very special way. In other words, at these points, the centrifugal force and the gravitational force equalize, and this creates a kind of "rest point" in space.
But where exactly are these points? Well, there are five Lagrange points in total, numbered L1 through L5. Point L1 is located between the two bodies in orbit, on the same imaginary line that joins them. Point L2, for its part, is on the same line, but on the opposite side of L1. Points L3, L4 and L5 form an equilateral triangle with the two bodies in orbit, with L3 being the point opposite the more massive body, and L4 and L5 located in front of and behind this body respectively.
Detailed description
L1
The closer an object is to the sun (or to the objects it surrounds), the faster it is moving. In this way, satellites with orbits smaller than Earth's orbit will reach Earth sooner or later. However, if we put it in the middle, Earth's gravity is directed in the opposite direction to the Sun's gravity, canceling out some of the Sun's push, causing it to orbit at a slower speed. If the distance is correct, the satellite will travel slowly enough to maintain its position between the earth and the sun. This is the L1 point that will be used to monitor the surface of the Sun, since particle jets from there reach L1 an hour before reaching our planet.
L2
The same thing that happened to L1 is happening on the other side of the Earth, beyond our orbit. ORA spacecraft placed there would be farther from the sun than we are and would end up lagging behind., but at the correct distance the gravitational influence of the sun would add to that of the earth, causing the satellites to orbit around the earth.
L3
L3 is on the far side of the sun, slightly behind the orbit of our planet. Objects in L3 can never be observed from Earth. In fact, this point is often used in science fiction to locate planets that share our orbit. This is less stable than L1 or L2. Any disturbance will cause the spacecraft, satellite, or probe to start moving away from it, requiring constant use of the engines to stay in the proper area. This basically happens because other planets are closer to that point than our planet. For example, Venus passes about 50 km from point L000 every 000 months.
L4 and L5
Points L4 and L5 are located 60 degrees in front of and behind Earth as seen from the Sun, close to Earth's orbit. Unlike the rest, L4 and L5 are very resistant to any gravitational disturbance. For this reason, dust and asteroid material tend to accumulate in these areas.
Importance of Lagrange points
These Lagrange points are special places because any small object placed on them will remain stable with respect to the two orbiting bodies. This means that a satellite or spacecraft could stay at one of these points without constantly using thrusters. This is why the Lagrange points they are of great interest for space exploration and the placement of satellites in space.
In addition to their practical utility, Lagrange points also have theoretical importance in the study of celestial mechanics and the dynamics of systems of orbiting bodies. Their discovery and understanding have allowed us have a more complete and precise vision of the movement of the stars in space.
The real importance of Lagrange points transcends their mere practical utility in space exploration and satellite placement. These points represent a fascinating window into the understanding of the behavior of dynamic systems in space and allow us to study complex phenomena in the field of celestial physics.
Uses and applications
One of the most notable applications of Lagrange points is the stability of orbiting satellites. By placing a satellite at one of these points, we can keep it virtually stationary with respect to Earth or any other body in the system. This is especially useful for Earth observation missions, where a fixed position is required to obtain detailed images of a specific region over long periods of time.
In addition, the Lagrange points also offer the possibility of establishing "constellations" of satellites in orbit around a celestial body. These constellations can be used for a variety of purposes, such as global communication, climate monitoring, astronomical observation and space exploration. By distributing the satellites at various Lagrange points, we can optimize the coverage and efficiency of our space missions.
Another area where they are of great relevance is in the investigation and exploration of asteroids and comets. These points act as strategic places to locate space probes that wish to study these celestial bodies in detail. By staying at a Lagrange point close to an asteroid or comet, the probes can investigate its composition, structure and behavior without the need to consume large amounts of fuel to maintain a stable orbit.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about Lagrange points, their characteristics and uses.