All Questions
21
questions
2
votes
1
answer
138
views
Is there a rigorous proof regarding the non-linear stability of the $L_4$ and $L_5$ Lagrange points?
I have found that many proofs regarding the stability of the $L_4$ and $L_5$ Lagrange points are based on linear approximations of the equations of motion near these points. However, from a dynamical ...
- 51
0
votes
1
answer
26
views
Equation of Hill sphere when the mass ratio is not large
I know of the equation for determining the Hill sphere. Which is $a(1-e)(m/3M)^{1/3}$. However I noticed that during the derivation of this formula that the assumption that $m\ll M$ is used. But what ...
- 2,908
0
votes
0
answers
59
views
How wide is the $L_4$ and $L_5$ Moon-Earth Lagrangian point?
How far would an object need to be displaced from the $L_4$ and $L_5$ Lagrangian points so that it can escape returning to those points?
1
vote
1
answer
88
views
Why can't we have trinary or multiple sytems, like binary systems?
We usually come across close binary systems in Astrophysics. Also, we can have hierarchical systems in which there is a close binary. The Alpha Centauri is an example of an hierarchical triple.
But ...
- 2,015
0
votes
0
answers
44
views
5 Lagrangian points: why isn't there a line of stability between $L_1$ and $L_4$ and $L_1$ and $L_5$ respectively? [duplicate]
Given the 5 Lagrangian points of two large orbiting bodies:
(from wikipedia),
why isn't there a line of stability between L1 and L4 and L1 and L5 respectively (as depicted in red in the modified ...
- 89
1
vote
0
answers
46
views
Why are so few inclined circumbinary planets known?
For a research project I'm studying the orbits of circumbinary planets, most of these planets orbits are coplanar. However I was wondering if orbits with a high inclination could be stable. I made a ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
147
views
How to understand $L_4$ and $L_5$ Lagrange points gravity balance? [duplicate]
It's relative easy to understand gravity balance of Lagrange points $L_1$, $L_2$ and $L_3$. But I am having a hard time to understand how a body would be "kind of" balanced out on Lagrange points $L_4$...
- 11
15
votes
2
answers
512
views
Regularization: What is so special about the Coulomb/Newtonian and harmonic potential?
I wanted to know if the procedure for regularization of the Coulomb potential outlined in Celletti (2003): Basics of regularization theory could be generalized to arbitrary polynomial potentials. So ...
- 9,910
5
votes
3
answers
820
views
Is it possible to have stable orbits around Lagrange point $L_1$?
Is it possible to have stable orbits around Lagrange point $L_1$?
If yes, is there an upper limit to the mass of a body on such an orbit?
- 67
2
votes
2
answers
516
views
Multiple star system, stable orbits?
Inspired by worldbuilding SE, I know that there are relatively stable star systems with two or three suns, but any more than that and they start to become very unstable (e.g. trapezium systems), but I'...
- 1,182
1
vote
0
answers
97
views
Stability of solar system
As far as I understand, the stability of the Solar system means that planets do not collide and will not in near future. The only thing that is stated on Wikipedia is that scientists are concerned ...
- 127
2
votes
0
answers
81
views
Plausibility of a Dyson sphere [duplicate]
So Dyson spheres are generally considered implausible for two main reasons. One, it would an incredible amount (and type) of resources to build one. And two, a Dyson sphere would be unstable because ...
- 307
3
votes
3
answers
218
views
Could the Earth-Moon rotation period equal one Earth year?
I just stumbled on this rather confused QA. The point seems to be if the Earth-Moon rotation period was identical to the Earth-year, then ...
... all three would stay in a line at all times.
Could ...
- 994
1
vote
1
answer
148
views
Can 4 collinear planets exist?
Imagine 4 planets, A has moon a and B has moon b. A and B are binary planets. Is it possible that a and b and A + B all have same the period, so that the 4 planets are collinear?
- 917
10
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How "large" is a Lagrange point?
When placing an object at a L-point, the natural assumption, as with all things gravity, is that you needn't place it in an exact spot to achieve a stable configuration. How much room do you have to ...
- 369