Captured Small Solar System Bodies in the Ice Giant Region

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of discovering and studying small, captured objects in the Ice Giant region, like Uranus and Neptune's Trojans and irregular satellites, to better understand Solar system formation.

Contribution

It advocates for prioritizing the discovery and characterization of these small bodies in upcoming Decadal Surveys and space missions.

Findings

Few objects have been discovered, limiting understanding.

Captures provide unique insights into Solar system formation.

Further discovery is essential for future in-situ missions.

Abstract

This white paper advocates for the inclusion of small, captured Outer Solar system objects, found in the Ice Giant region in the next Decadal Survey. These objects include the Trojans and Irregular satellite populations of Uranus and Neptune. The captured small bodies provide vital clues as to the formation of our Solar system. They have unique dynamical situations, which any model of Solar system formation needs to explain. The major issue is that so few of these objects have been discovered, with very little information known about them. The purpose of this document is to prioritize further discovery and characterization of these objects. This will require the use of NASA and NSF facilities over the 2023 2032 decade, including additional support for analysis. This is in preparation for potential future insitu missions in the following decades.