Achilles: a search for Trojans in the Earth-Moon system

Abstract

Several Trojans have been found in the Solar System, but no Earth-Moon Trojans (EM-Ts) have been discovered yet. There have only been two surveys for EM-Ts, by Valdes & Freitas (1983) and Gregg & Wiegert (2022), both centered around L4 & L5. In this work we introduce a new pipeline for EM-Ts based on the theoretical frame developed by Jorba, which shows that they may be found at some distance from L4 & L5. More specifically, this work focuses on the development of Achilles, an automated asteroid detection tool. We have successfully validated it by detecting Main Belt Objects. However, we have applied it on some of our EM-T images and found no EM-Ts. Even so, this new tool will ease the process towards their possible discovery