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Re: Lagrangian Points



See 'An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics', B Carroll & D Ostlie. 1996.

The L points are local maximum of gravitational potential between two
rotating bodies. At these points, the gravitational forces between a 
mass and the two bodies are balanced by the centrifugal force.

Since it is a local maximum of a curve, they are points of unstable
equilibrium, and a small force will push the mass from these locations.

To be captured into an L-point, the mass would have to be moving fairly slowly
with respect to the two bodies.

In the solar system, the gravitational forces of the planets must perturb the
Jupiter L-points a little - presumably, not enough to make them unstable.

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