On some long time dynamical features of the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter

Abstract

The equation of motion of long periodic libration around the Lagrangian point $$L_4$$ in the restricted three-body problem is investigated. The range of validity of an approximate analytical solution in the tadpole region is determined by numerical integration. The predictions of the model of libration are tested on the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter. The long time evolution of the orbital eccentricity and the longitude of the perihelion of the Trojan asteroids, under the effect of the four giant planets, is also investigated and a slight dynamical asymmetry is shown between the two groups of Trojans at $$L_4$$ and $$L_5$$ .