Lagrangian Point

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Lagrangian Point

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One of the five solutions by Lagrange to the three-body problem in which three bodies will move as a stable configuration. In three of the solutions the bodies are in line; in the other two the bodies are at the vortices of equilateral triangles. </dd>
Lagrange predicted in 1772 that if the three bodies form an equilateral triangle revolving about one of the bodies, the system would be stable. This prediction was fulfilled in 1908 with the discovery of the asteroid Achilles approximately 60 degrees ahead of Jupiter in Jupiter's orbit. Since then other asteroids have been discovered 60 degrees ahead and 60 degrees behind Jupiter. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use