Canadian astronomers discover Earth's first Trojan asteroid

 

[ Further information:  Nature Magazine,  Asteroid 2010 TK7, orbital simulation, Martin Connors, Paul Wiegert, Christian Veillet, CBC News Science and Technology, NASA WISE, Western News, Discover Magazine]

Dr. Martin Connors Dr. Martin Connors Dr. Christian Veillet

    Martin Connors             Paul Wiegert              Christian Veillet

An international team of astronomers, including Western astronomer Paul Wiegert, reveals that an asteroid discovered late in 2010 is the Earth's first known Trojan asteroid.  In the July 28 2011 issue of the journal Nature, it is announced that the as-yet-unnamed near-Earth asteroid with the temporary designation 2010 TK7, shares the Earth's orbit with it.  As the asteroid and the Earth both orbit the Sun, 2010 TK7 remains in step with our planet, remaining ahead of us as seen from Earth.  Asteroid 2010 TK7 is believed to have a diameter of approximately  300 metres and orbits at a distance of approximately 80 million kilometres from Earth.

Asteroid 2010 TK7

    Orbital Simulation

Asteroid 2010 TK7

    Asteroid 2010 TK7 shown against backdrop of stars.

The initial data for the discovery had been taken with the WISE (Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer) satellite, and follow up data was taken at the CFHT (Canada France Hawaii Telescope).

WISE satellite Canada France Hawaii Telescope

    Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer                 Canada France Hawaii Telescope

It is interesting to note that principal author Martin Connors was born in London and graduated from the astronomy program at Western. He is also a long standing member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Christain Veillet is the executive director of the Canada France Hawaii Telescope on the 'big island' of Hawaii.