Published , Modified Abstract on Trojan Asteroids in Far Reaches of Solar System More Common Than Previously Thought Original source
Trojan Asteroids in Far Reaches of Solar System More Common Than Previously Thought
Introduction
Trojan asteroids are celestial bodies that share the same orbit as a planet or moon, but remain in stable positions known as Lagrange points. These asteroids have been known to exist in the solar system for decades, but recent studies have shown that they may be more common than previously thought.
What are Trojan Asteroids?
Definition and Characteristics
Trojan asteroids are named after the Trojan War of Greek mythology, where soldiers hid inside a wooden horse to infiltrate the city of Troy. Similarly, these asteroids hide in the gravitational pull of larger celestial bodies, remaining in stable positions known as Lagrange points.
Types of Trojan Asteroids
There are two types of Trojan asteroids: leading and trailing. Leading Trojans orbit ahead of the larger celestial body, while trailing Trojans orbit behind it.
Discovery and Exploration
Discovery
The first Trojan asteroid was discovered in 1906 by German astronomer Max Wolf. Since then, hundreds more have been discovered.
Exploration
In 2011, NASA's Dawn spacecraft became the first to visit a Trojan asteroid. It explored Vesta, a large asteroid located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter that has several smaller Trojans orbiting it.
Recent Studies
The Study
A study published in 2013 by researchers at the University of Arizona found that there may be more Trojan asteroids in the solar system than previously thought. The study used data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope to identify new Trojans.
Findings
The study found that there may be up to 1 million Trojans larger than 1 kilometer in size in the solar system. This is ten times more than previously estimated.
Importance and Future Research
Importance
Trojan asteroids can provide valuable information about the formation and evolution of the solar system. They can also be potential targets for future space missions.
Future Research
Future research will focus on identifying and studying more Trojan asteroids. NASA's Lucy mission, set to launch in 2021, will explore several Trojan asteroids in the outer solar system.
Conclusion
Trojan asteroids are celestial bodies that share the same orbit as a planet or moon, but remain in stable positions known as Lagrange points. Recent studies have shown that they may be more common than previously thought, with up to 1 million Trojans larger than 1 kilometer in size in the solar system. Further research will continue to explore these fascinating celestial bodies.
FAQs
Q: What is a Lagrange point?
A: A Lagrange point is a position in space where the gravitational forces of two large celestial bodies, such as a planet and its moon, balance out the centrifugal force of a smaller object, such as an asteroid.
Q: What is the Lucy mission?
A: The Lucy mission is a NASA space probe set to launch in 2021. It will explore several Trojan asteroids in the outer solar system.
Q: Are Trojan asteroids dangerous?
A: While some Trojan asteroids may come close to Earth's orbit, they are not considered dangerous as they remain in stable positions known as Lagrange points.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.