Spitzer investigation of the first known active Trojan, 2019 LD2

We propose to investigate the recently discovered first-known active Trojan, 2019 LD2, with Spitzer/IRAC using wavelengths centered on 4.5 microns. Our observations will enable us to place constraints on the CO/CO2 gas and dust production as well as the physical properties of this object directly measured from Spitzer 4.5 micron?data. As this object is the first of its kind, the detection of gas will be immensely exciting as it will provide first constraints on the volatile contents of the Trojan population measured from one of its members with implications on testing Solar System evolution models involving the capture of Trojans during the instability of the gas giants. In either case of the volatile gases being detection or not detected, we expect the results to be high-impact as it allows us to characterize the activity mechanism of this novel object that will be important for future observations of active Trojans or objects like 2019 LD2 with space/ground-based assets and the upcoming Lucy mission.