Determining the binary fraction for a population of asteroids , particularly as a function of separation between the two components , helps describe the dynamical environment at the time the binaries formed , which in turn offers constraints on the dynamical evolution of the solar system .
We searched the NEOWISE archival dataset for close and contact binary Trojans and Hildas via their diagnostically large lightcurve amplitudes .
We present 48 out of 554 Hilda and 34 out of 953 Trojan binary candidates in need of follow-up to confirm their large lightcurve amplitudes and subsequently constrain the binary orbit and component sizes .
From these candidates , we calculate a preliminary estimate of the binary fraction without confirmation or debiasing of 14 - 23 % for Trojans larger than \sim 12 km and 30 - 51 % for Hildas larger than \sim 4 km .
Once the binary candidates have been confirmed , it should be possible to infer the underlying , debiased binary fraction through estimation of survey biases .