Celestia Forums

Been reading 2010 Odyssey Two - mentions the Io Lagrange One point.

What are the Lagrange points anyway?

For each satellite (moon), there are 5 Lagrange points. It is where the gravity forces between the planet and the satellite (moon) balances. Some are stable, some are not.

OK, so where are the five Lagrange points located, which ones are stable and which ones aren't?

Would it be possible to put a satellite at a Lagrange point or something like that, and what would be the point of doing that?

'Lagrange points' + 'I'm feeling lucky' = Answers to your questions

The great advantage of Sun-Earth L1 is of never being eclipsed by the Earth which is ideal for Sun observation. On the other hand, L2 is perfect if you want to be shielded from the Sun's radiations.

Thanks for the link: one final question, which one's L4 and which one's L5?

Is it determined by the direction of the planet's orbit?

L4 leads, L5 trails.

At http://www.fsgregs.org/celestia/ you can download a model of the abandoned Discovery, tumbling at Io's inner Langrange point.

Grant