What are Trojan asteroids?

Oct. 19, 2024

Scientists have finally discovered a Trojan asteroid for Saturn, thereby establishing the presence of these celestial bodies alongside all giant planets in our solar system.

About Trojan asteroids:

  • Trojan asteroids are a class of asteroids that occupy a stable Lagrange Point in a planet’s orbit around the sun. 
  • These are usually found around Lagrange Point L4 or L5 points which makes them gravitationally stable.
  • These are thought to be remnants of the primordial materialthat formed the outer planets.
  • Their orbit around the sun is similar to the orbit of the planet they are associated with. 
  • These were discovered by German astrophotographer Max Wolf in 1906, but they were named so later. 
  • They have unusual orbits, remain gravitationally stable for long periods of time and studying them can provide useful insights into the evolution of the solar system. 

What are Lagrange points?

  • A Lagrange point is a position in space where the gravitational pull of two large masses precisely equals the centripetal force required for a small object to move with them.
  • These points in space can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position.
  • The Lagrange points are named in honour of Italian-French mathematician Josephy-Louis Lagrange, and there are five of them: L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5.
  • The L1 point of the Earth-Sun system affords an uninterrupted view of the Sun.
  • It is currently home to the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Satellite SOHO.