Gregor Kladnik: Dynamics and evolution of the Trojan family of asteroids

 
Gregor Kladnik, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. Dept. of Physics. 

 
Dynamics and evolution of the Trojan family of asteroids 

 
The source of the Trojan family of asteroids, which are located near 
two stable Lagrangian points L4 and L5, is unknown. Recent measurements 
of albeda and, most of all, density of a member of the population, show 
similarities with Kuiper belt objects. We have investigated the possibility 
of temporary captures of Kuiper belt objects as Trojan asteroids 
through the intermediate state of Centaurs. All calculations were 
done with a modern hybrid energy-conserving (symplectic) algorithm.