View from the Earth-Moon L5 point?

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In summary, at the Earth-Moon L5 point, the Earth and Moon would appear to be separated by 60 degrees and 60 degrees out of phase. They would not move in relation to each other and would be equidistant from the observer. The Moon's diameter would appear a quarter of the Earth's diameter.
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StrangerTides
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Hey folks,

Can anyone tell me how the Earth and Moon would appear to an observer at the Earth-Moon L5 point? I'm guessing both the Earth and Moon would appear to be in the same "phase", but would they be close together? How fast would they change position relative to each other? And what would their apparent relative sizes be?

Thanks for any info!

Chris B
 
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  • #2
The Earth, Moon, and L5 point (or Earth, Moon, and L4 point) form an equilateral triangle. The Earth and Moon would appear to be separated by 60 degrees, and they would be 60 degrees out of phase.
 
  • #3
Okay, thanks, I see what you mean about the phase. And now that I think about it, I guess they would not move in relation to each other at all, but stay in exactly the same relative positions. And since it's an equilateral triangle, the Earth and the Moon would be equidistant from the observer, so the Moon's diameter should appear a quarter of the Earth's diameter, as it actually is.

Thanks again.
 

FAQ: View from the Earth-Moon L5 point?

What is the Earth-Moon L5 point?

The Earth-Moon L5 point is a Lagrange point, which is a location in space where the gravitational forces of two larger bodies (in this case, the Earth and the Moon) and the centrifugal force of an object in orbit cancel each other out. This creates a stable point in space where objects can remain in a relatively fixed position.

Where is the Earth-Moon L5 point located?

The Earth-Moon L5 point is located about 384,400 kilometers from the Earth and 378,000 kilometers from the Moon. It is located in the same orbit as the Moon, but on the opposite side of the Moon from Earth.

What can be seen from the Earth-Moon L5 point?

From the Earth-Moon L5 point, one can see the Earth and the Moon in a nearly fixed position relative to each other. Additionally, other celestial bodies such as the Sun, planets, and stars can also be seen, although their positions may change over time.

Why is the Earth-Moon L5 point significant?

The Earth-Moon L5 point is significant because it is a potential location for future space missions and exploration. It offers a stable point in space for spacecraft to park or conduct observations, and could potentially serve as a staging area for future missions to other parts of the solar system.

How is the Earth-Moon L5 point used in space exploration?

The Earth-Moon L5 point has been used in the past for missions such as the European Space Agency's SMART-1 spacecraft and NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In the future, it could potentially be used for missions to study the Moon, the Earth, and other celestial bodies, as well as serve as a location for space habitats or refueling stations.

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