Introducing MEGASIM: Multitudinous Earth Greek/Trojan Asteroid SIMulation*

Journal Article · 04 April 2022 · Research Notes of the AAS

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/2515-5172/ac62da · OSTI ID:1861134

Yeager, Travis ; Golovich, Nathan

Abstract We announce the completion of two new Earth Trojan Asteroid (ETA) simulations. ETAs co-orbit the Sun with Earth and remain loosely bound to the fourth or fifth Lagrange points. To date, two ETAs have been detected (2010 TK ₇ and 2020 XL ₅ ); however, based on their orbits, these are likely temporary captures rather than members of a primordial population. The motivation for our simulations is multi-faceted: (1) the lack of a detected population despite literature claims of stability over the age of the solar system, (2) ETAs are important for both solar system science and planetary defense, and (3) the proximity of ETAs makes them prime candidates for space exploration missions. These simulations are of extremely high fidelity, large in number and long in simulation time. We will be releasing a series of papers based upon these simulations.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1861134
• Report Number(s): LLNL-JRNL-832783
• Journal Information: Research Notes of the AAS, Journal Name: Research Notes of the AAS Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 6; ISSN 2515-5172
• Publisher: American Astronomical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English