Neptune Dances in Sync With a Rare Distant Object, Astronomers Find
In a Planetary Science Journal paper published earlier this month, astronomers with the Large inclination Distant Objects (LiDO) survey reported the discovery of 2020 VN40, a rare distant object that orbits the Sun once for every ten orbits Neptune completes. Astronomers have classified 2020 VN40 as a trans-Neptunian object—a class of small objects and dwarf planets that orbit the Sun at a greater distance than Neptune. The small object sports a peculiar, tilted orbit that places it in orbital resonance with Neptune at a ratio of 10:1. This means the two celestial bodies affect each other's motion, locking them into a clean, neat ratio of orbital periods.
'This is a big step in understanding the outer solar system,' Rosemary Pike, lead researcher from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, said in a statement. 'It shows that even very distant regions influenced by Neptune can contain objects, and it gives us new clues about how the solar system evolved.'
Spotting an oddball object in the solar system is always a cause for celebration, but 2020 VN40 stands out for a couple of reasons. First, it supports the idea that Neptune's gravity can pull distant objects into the inner solar system—something astronomers have documented with other distant objects.
What's more, 2020 VN40 features a strange, tilted orbit that brings it closer to the Sun when it's nearest to Neptune—the opposite of how most similar objects behave. This tilt is what's causing the observed orbital sync between Neptune and 2020 VN40, in which the smaller object approaches the Sun once for every ten orbits Neptune completes, according to the study authors. This means that, for 2020 VN, one year is equal to 1,650 Earth years!
'This new motion is like finding a hidden rhythm in a song we thought we knew,' said study co-author Ruth Murray-Clay, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz. 'It could change how we think about the way distant objects move.'
'This is just the beginning,' said Kathryn Volk of the Planetary Science Institute. 'We're opening a new window into the solar system's past.'
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION IGALMI can cause serious side effects, including: Decreased blood pressure, low blood pressure upon standing, and slower than normal heart rate, which may be more likely in patients with low blood volume, diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, and older patients. IGALMI is taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider who will monitor vital signs (like blood pressure and heart rate) and alertness after IGALMI is administered to help prevent falling or fainting. Patients should be adequately hydrated and sit or lie down after taking IGALMI and instructed to tell their healthcare provider if they feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint. Heart rhythm changes (QT interval prolongation). IGALMI should not be given to patients with an abnormal heart rhythm, a history of an irregular heartbeat, slow heart rate, low potassium, low magnesium, or taking other drugs that could affect heart rhythm. Taking IGALMI with a history of abnormal heart rhythm can increase the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden death. Patients should be instructed to tell their healthcare provider immediately if they feel faint or have heart palpitations. Sleepiness/drowsiness. Patients should not perform activities requiring mental alertness, such as driving or operating hazardous machinery, for at least 8 hours after taking IGALMI. Withdrawal reactions, tolerance, and decreased response/efficacy. IGALMI was not studied for longer than 24 hours after the first dose. Physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, agitation), and decreased response to IGALMI may occur if IGALMI is used longer than 24 hours. The most common side effects of IGALMI in clinical studies were sleepiness or drowsiness, a prickling or tingling sensation or numbness of the mouth, dizziness, dry mouth, low blood pressure, and low blood pressure upon standing. These are not all the possible side effects of IGALMI. Patients should speak with their healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. Patients should tell their healthcare provider about their medical history, including if they suffer from any known heart problems, low potassium, low magnesium, low blood pressure, low heart rate, diabetes, high blood pressure, history of fainting, or liver impairment. They should also tell their healthcare provider if they are pregnant or breastfeeding or take any medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Patients should especially tell their healthcare provider if they take any drugs that lower blood pressure, change heart rate, or take anesthetics, sedatives, hypnotics, and opioids. Everyone is encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You can also contact BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-833-201-1088 or medinfo@ Please see full prescribing information at About BioXcel Therapeutics, Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTAI) is a biopharmaceutical company utilizing artificial intelligence to develop transformative medicines in neuroscience. Its wholly owned subsidiary, OnkosXcel Therapeutics, is focused on the development of medicines in immuno-oncology. The Company's drug re-innovation approach leverages existing approved drugs and/or clinically validated product candidates together with big data and proprietary machine learning algorithms to identify new therapeutic indications. For more information, please visit Forward-Looking Statements This current report includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained in this current report other than statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to: the Company's upcoming data release and sNDA submission. When used herein, words including 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'can,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'designed,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'forecast,' 'goal,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'might,' 'plan,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will,' 'would' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. The Company may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed under the caption 'Risk Factors' in its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as such factors may be updated from time to time in its other filings with the SEC. These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this current report. While the Company may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, it disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this current report. Contact Information Corporate/Investors Russo Partners Nic Johnson 1.303.482.6405 Media Russo Partners David Schull 1.858.717.2310 Source: BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. IGALMI® is a registered trademark of BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. References Data on file relating to agitation episodes associated with schizophrenia or bipolar I or II disorder. BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. New Haven, CT December 2020. Episode estimations may not reflect potential treatable episodes, and actual addressable market may be smaller. Data from Wu EQ, Shi L, Birnbaum H, et al. Annual prevalence of diagnosed schizophrenia in the USA: a claims data analysis approach. Psychol Med. 2006;36(11):1535-1540. Estimates based on whether indications are approved for at-home use for the intended patient population and such patients are treatable. Episode estimations may not reflect potential treatable episodes, and actual addressable market may be smaller. National Institute of Mental Health. Prevalence of bipolar disorder in adults. November 2017. Accessed December 16, 2022. Episode estimations may not reflect potential treatable episodes, and actual addressable market may be in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
