La·gran·gi·an point (l -gr n j -n)n. Astronomy Any of five points, stable with respect to gravitational forces and in the orbital plane of two bodies, one of which is much larger than the other. A third, smaller body placed at one of these points will remain in equilibrium with respect to the other two bodies. [After Comte Joseph Louis Lagrange.] |
Lagrangian point
n
(Astronomy) Astronomy one of five points in the plane of revolution of two bodies in orbit around their common centre of gravity, at which a third body of negligible mass can remain in equilibrium with respect to the other two bodies
[named after Comte Joseph Louis Lagrange (1736-1813), French mathematician and astronomer]
| Lagrangian point (l-grnj-n) A point in space where a small body with negligible mass under the gravitational influence of two large bodies will remain at rest relative to the larger ones. In a system consisting of two large bodies (such as the Sun-Earth system or the Moon-Earth system), there are five Lagrangian points (L1 through L5). Knowledge of these points is useful in deciding where to position orbiting bodies. |
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