Force map of the Lagrange points

russotto · 03-04-2002, 01:20 PM

L1, L2, and L3 are unstable -- as you say, they're saddle points, which is to say they're stable in one direction but unstable in the other.

L4 and L5 are stable (metastable, because a large enough disturbance can toss you out of them).

As for orbital mechanics, it's easy:

East takes you out
Out takes you west
West takes you in
In takes you east
North and south bring you back
-- Larry Niven, _The Smoke Ring_

03-04-2002, 01:20 PM	#4
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	L1, L2, and L3 are unstable -- as you say, they're saddle points, which is to say they're stable in one direction but unstable in the other. L4 and L5 are stable (metastable, because a large enough disturbance can toss you out of them). As for orbital mechanics, it's easy: East takes you out Out takes you west West takes you in In takes you east North and south bring you back -- Larry Niven, _The Smoke Ring_

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