The illustration shows a trans-Neptunian object that orbits in alignment with Neptune (Image courtesy of Robert Lee (created with Canva)).
Astronomers have discovered that an unusual space rock at the edge of the solar system is in rhythmic interaction with Neptune.
The object, designated 2020 VN40, belongs to a group of distant Solar System objects known as trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). 2020 VN40 is the first object discovered that completes one orbit around the Sun for every ten orbits of Neptune. Since one Neptunian year is equal to 164.8 Earth years, this means that the year for 2020 VN40 is incredibly long – about 1,648 years, or 19,776 Earth months!
The research team suggests that 2020 VN40's long orbital dance with Neptune may have begun when it was temporarily caught in the ice giant's gravity. The discovery could therefore help scientists better understand the dynamics of objects at the edge of the solar system.
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