Analyzing the Stability of Lagrange Points

Abstract:

Lagrange points have become a large point of discussion with the successful deployment of the James Webb Telescope to the L2 Lagrange point of the Earth and Sun. What makes projects like the Webb Telescope possible is the fact that objects can be left at Lagrange points for a long period of time. Using the REBOUND application, I am running simulations of particle clusters around the Lagrange points and how those particles move over time. The object of these simulations is to analyze how long an object can stay at the individual Lagrange points before they would need to be moved back into position by an external force. The Lagrange points will be also compared to each other to see which Lagrange points have the longest period of stability.