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Asteroid that wander across the orbit of a major planet are usually accreted by the planet or flung out of the Solar System in short order. But Trojan asteroids, which lead or follow a planet by approximately 60 degrees, are an exception. Nearly half of all asteroids lead or follow Jupiter in two clouds called the "Trojans" and the "Greeks". As these asteroids approach Jupiter, interactions with the planet adjust the orbits so that the objects begin to recede. Far from Jupiter, gravitational interactions slowly put the asteroids back onto orbits that approach the planet. This balance of forces causes Trojan asteroids to oscillate about stable Lagrange points 60 degrees ahead of or behind Jupiter. For more on the Trojan asteroids click here.
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