Neptune Trojan
Neptune trojans are bodies in orbit around the Sun, have the same orbital period as Neptune, and follow roughly the same orbital path. Nine Neptune trojans are currently known, of which six orbit near the Sun–Neptune L4 Lagrangian point 60° ahead of Neptune and three orbit near Neptune's L5 region 60° behind Neptune. The Neptune trojans are termed 'trojans' by analogy with Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.
The discovery of 2005 TN53 in a high-inclination (>25°) orbit was significant as it suggested a “thick” cloud of trojans (Jupiter trojans have inclinations up to 40°), which is indicative of freeze-in capture instead of in situ or collisional formation. It is suspected that large (radius ≈ 100 km) Neptune trojans could outnumber Jupiter trojans by an order of magnitude.
In 2010, the discovery of the first known L5 Neptune trojan, 2008 LC18, was announced. Neptune's trailing L5 region is currently very difficult to observe because it is along the line-of-sight to the center of our galaxy, an area of the sky crowded with stars.
It may be possible for the New Horizons spacecraft to investigate L5 Neptune trojans discovered by 2014, when it passes through this region of space en route to Pluto.
Read more about Neptune Trojan: Discovery and Exploration, Dynamics and Origin, Colors, Members
Famous quotes containing the words neptune and/or trojan:
“His nature is too noble for the world;
He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
Or Jove for’s power to thunder.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Motherhood is the strangest thing, it can be like being one’s own Trojan horse.”
—Rebecca West (1892–1983)