Trojan asteroids

21.10.2024

Trojan asteroids

Why in the news?                        

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:

• These 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 material that 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?

• It 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.

                                                              Source: The Hindu

Consider the following statements regarding Trojan asteroids:

1. These are remnants of the primordial material that formed the outer planets.

2. These occupy a stable Lagrange Point in a planet’s orbit around the sun.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only

B.2 only

C.Both 1 and 2

D.Neither 1 nor 2

Answer C