Are Two of the Neptune Trojans Dynamically Unstable?

Details Are Two of the Neptune Trojans Dynamically Unstable? Are Two of the Neptune Trojans Dynamically Unstable?

2012-02-26

arxiv.org/abs/1202.5729v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

13 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, Accepted to appear in the peer-reviewed proceedings of the 11th annual Australian Space Science

Scientific paper

The Neptune Trojans are the most recently discovered population of small bodies in the Solar System. To date, only eight have been discovered, though it is thought likely that the total population at least rivals that of the asteroid belt. Their origin is still the subject of some debate. Here, we detail the results of dynamical studies of two Neptune Trojans, 2001 QR322 and 2008 LC18. We find that both objects lie very close to boundaries between dynamically stable and unstable regions, with a significant probability that either or both of the objects are actually unstable on timescales of a few hundred million years. Such instability supports the idea that at least these two Neptune Trojans are dynamically captured objects, rather than objects that formed in situ. This that does not, however, rule out the possibility that these two objects were captured during Neptune's proposed post-formation migration, and have remained as Trojans ever since.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Are Two of the Neptune Trojans Dynamically Unstable? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Are Two of the Neptune Trojans Dynamically Unstable?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Are Two of the Neptune Trojans Dynamically Unstable? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-215754