This event has passed. It took place on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Monthly Meeting
Public
Lucy's Tour of the Trojan Asteroids
Presenter: Bill Higgins
The two swarms of frigid Trojan asteroids, circling the Sun at the same distance as Jupiter, have never been visited by spacecraft. NASA’s Lucy mission plans to change that. Launched in 2021, Lucy’s intricate trajectory will eventually fly by eleven asteroids, including eight Trojans of varying size and composition, far beyond the main Asteroid Belt. Some are leading far ahead of Jupiter in its travels, some are trailing far behind. Their peculiar orbits suggest they evolved differently from other asteroids. The Trojans may be a new kind of witness to the history of our Solar System. Passing through the Asteroid Belt on her way to the distant realm of the Trojans, Lucy’s first flyby occurred in November. Images of tiny Dinkinesh surprised the Lucy team-and if all goes well, the best is yet to come. Long-time NAA member and NASA
Solar System Ambassador Bill Higgins will bring us up to date.
The public is welcome to attend, free of charge.
This event is open to the public and free of charge.