[VadeRetro]

See post 32. The L4 and L5 type of points act as a "virtual mass" attracting objects. You have to work out Lagrange's math to see the "why." If you do, you can explain it to me in layman's terms.

[ovrtaxt]

See post 32. The L4 and L5 type of points act as a "virtual mass" attracting objects. You have to work out Lagrange's math to see the "why." If you do, you can explain it to me in layman's terms

im trying, but it's escaping me. what's stumping me is the 60 degree thing. it would seem that a more massive planet would generate a L point at a farther distance along the orbital path. I wonder if Lagrange is assuming that the two bodies are the same mass?but now, I might be mistaken, a hmm hmm hmm!

[GregoryFul]

The L4 and L5 type of points act as a "virtual mass" attracting objects.

That would surprise me. As massive bodies are "wells" in spacetime, the LaGrange points would be mountain peaks - an unstable location for masses to be. However, the solar system's LaGrange points will move as the planets orbit, so a smart massive body can "surf" the downside slope of the moving peak.