[mikrofon]

These spots, known as Lagrange points, are 120 degrees in front of and behind whichever body is smaller

Pardon my confusion, but wouldn't one of the pair always be smaller?

Or did they want to mean that the smaller body always determines the orbital characteristics?

[TigersEye]

I understand why you are confused by that statement. So am I. 120 degrees is exactly one third of the orbit. If the large planet is 120 degrees in front then, obviously, the small planet is 120 degrees behind and vice versa.

These spots, known as Lagrange points, are 120 degrees in front of and behind whichever body is smaller.

Why not say "a Lagrange point is 120 degrees in front of and behind whichever body is bigger?" Regardless of which one is in front they will be 120 degrees apart according to what has been said here.

[BenKenobi]

Neither. Think of it like spokes on a steering wheel.

The Lagrangians are the same three points, just that two of them are occupied by planets.

You see the same thing, especially with Jupiter, Asteroids at both Lagragian points.

[SunkenCiv]

It means that the writer of the article didn’t really understand what Lagrangian points are. :’)

[Lancey Howard]

Pardon my confusion, but wouldn't one of the pair always be smaller?

Yes, and whichever one of the pair is smaller, the Lagrange points are 120 degrees in front of it and behind it.