A mysterious object near Neptune

 2020 VN40 (Trans-Neptunian object)

Event	Details
Discovery	August 2020 (reported in mid‑2025)
Studies & Precovery	Observations extended back to ~2017, achieving ~6+ years of arc and low orbital uncertainty
Major Findings Reported	July 2025, published in The Planetary Science Journal and widely reported by space and science outlets

 

🚀 Meet 2020 VN40: Neptune’s Sneaky Space Situationship

Okay babes, let’s talk about 2020 VN40 — the mysterious cosmic object that just got caught dancing in sync with Neptune like it’s auditioning for a solar system reality show. And honestly? It’s giving ✨drama✨, distance, and deep-space delulu.

🤯 Plot Twist: It’s in a 10:1 Orbit With Neptune

Yep. For every 10 times Neptune does a lap around the Sun, VN40 casually does 1. They’re in a long-distance situationship with zero chance of crashing into each other. Like “we vibe but we don’t hang.”

It’s the first object EVER found in a 10:1 mean motion resonance with Neptune. Think of it like cosmic choreography, but with extreme social distancing.

And here's the kicker: VN40 reaches its closest point to the Sun right when Neptune’s nearby—but because it’s on a steep orbit, they never actually meet. Literally ghosting but celestial.

👀 What’s Next?

Scientists are like:

“Wait… if this object is out there vibing in a 10:1 resonance, there’s probs a whole crew of them just lurking in the dark.”

So now everyone's prepping their telescopes (👀🔭) like they’re trying to catch an exclusive drop of new trans-Neptunian content. Big “stay tuned” energy.

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🧠 TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Rocket)

• 2020 VN40: a distant, tilted, icy rebel in sync with Neptune’s orbit (10:1 ratio).

• Doesn’t crash into Neptune, just floats near it like an emotionally unavailable ex.

• First of its kind. Probably not the last.

• Space is weird. We love it.