A Trojan is a group of asteroids that move along the same path in space as Jupiter; therefore, they are called Jupiter’s Trojans.  Jupiter has two massive groups of asteroids, one leading the planet in its orbital trip, and one following behind.  Since these are asteroids, they are all supposed to be inactive.

Recently, however, astronomers from University of Hawaii’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) found a Trojan that was very much alive and sporting a comet-like tail.  Though active asteroids have been known to exist, this is the first active Trojan that has ever been documented.  

If active asteroids have been found, even if they are rare, why is it odd to find one of Jupiter’s Trojans active?  Because these specific asteroids are so old, their surface materials should essentially be dry rocks.  Yet, astronomers always believed that inside these objects, there is ice.  This explains why this Trojan asteroid is active.  Something, perhaps a bump against another asteroid, caused the middle of the asteroid to be exposed, bringing the liquid center to the surface.  Materials reacted causing this unique asteroid to mimic a comet.  

As with all of space, so much is unknown about the new phenomenon.  NASA wants to keep a close eye on what is happening, so they are launching a probe, an unmanned spacecraft, called Lucy to investigate Jupiter’s Trojans.  This probe will gather information from 2027-2033.  

For now, we’ll just have to sit back and wait for what will happen next!

Citation: https://apple.news/AKHmX3rjZSX633_in_Z_5qQ