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Neptune

Short answer: Neptune, the eighth planet, has the strongest sustained winds measured on any planet in the solar system, up to about 2,100 km/h (around 1,300 mph).

When Voyager 2 flew past in 1989, it photographed a huge storm in the southern hemisphere, the Great Dark Spot, comparable in scale to Jupiter's Great Red Spot. Unlike Jupiter's long-lived storm, Neptune's dark spots aren't permanent; later Hubble images showed that spot gone and new ones forming. Bright, high clouds of methane ice also streak across the planet. The footage shows Voyager-style images of Neptune and clouds, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up3 sources
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What should you know about Neptune?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Neptune's winds reach about 2,100 km/h.

    DD-126-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Fastest winds)

  2. Voyager 2 saw the Great Dark Spot in 1989.

    DD-126-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit C (Great Dark Spot)

Video transcript: Neptune: Neptune's Winds Outrun a Jet Airliner

Neptune has a vivid and dynamic atmosphere. DID YOU KNOW? Neptune's atmosphere is marked by stunning cloud formations, including the famous Great Dark Spot, a massive storm system similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot. Additionally, Neptune experiences extremely strong winds, with speeds reaching up to fifteen hundred mph or twenty-four hundred kph making them some of the fastest winds observed in our solar system. The mysterious and ever-changing features of Neptune's atmosphere make it a fascinating celestial body to study. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 28.2s Reel ·

Video coming soonNeptune · Instagram Reel
Neptune: Neptune's Winds Outrun a Jet Airliner Instagram Reel · · 28.2s

The write-up

Neptune's winds outrun a jet airliner. Voyager 2 saw the Great Dark Spot in 1989; dark spots there come and go.

  1. Exhibit A

    Fastest winds

    Neptune has the strongest winds measured on any planet, up to about 2,100 km/h.

  2. Exhibit B

    Voyager 2

    Voyager 2 flew past Neptune in 1989.

  3. Exhibit C

    Great Dark Spot

    Voyager 2 photographed a huge storm called the Great Dark Spot.

  4. Exhibit D

    Not permanent

    Neptune's dark spots come and go.

  5. Exhibit E

    Methane clouds

    Bright, high methane-ice clouds streak across the planet.

Questions people ask about Neptune

How fast can Neptune's winds blow?

The fastest of any planet.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Fastest winds) · Wikipedia: Neptune

Which spacecraft flew past Neptune?

In 1989.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Voyager 2) · NASA Science: Neptune; Wikipedia: Neptune

What did Voyager 2 photograph?

A huge southern storm.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Great Dark Spot) · Wikipedia: Neptune; Wikipedia: Great Dark Spot

Are Neptune's dark spots permanent?

Hubble saw new ones form.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Not permanent) · Wikipedia: Neptune; Wikipedia: Great Dark Spot

What are Neptune's bright clouds made of?

They ride high in the atmosphere.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Methane clouds) · NASA Science: Neptune

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. How fast can Neptune's winds blow?

    1. About 2,100 km/h
    2. About 100 km/h
    3. About 20,000 km/h
    4. They don't blow
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 2,100 km/h The fastest of any planet. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Fastest winds) · Wikipedia: Neptune

  2. Which spacecraft flew past Neptune?

    1. Voyager 2
    2. New Horizons
    3. Galileo
    4. Juno
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Voyager 2 In 1989. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Voyager 2) · NASA Science: Neptune; Wikipedia: Neptune

  3. What did Voyager 2 photograph?

    1. The Great Dark Spot
    2. The Great Red Spot
    3. Rings of ice only
    4. A moon landing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The Great Dark Spot A huge southern storm. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Great Dark Spot) · Wikipedia: Neptune; Wikipedia: Great Dark Spot

  4. Are Neptune's dark spots permanent?

    1. No, they come and go
    2. Yes, for centuries
    3. They're painted
    4. They're moons
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. No, they come and go Hubble saw new ones form. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Not permanent) · Wikipedia: Neptune; Wikipedia: Great Dark Spot

  5. What are Neptune's bright clouds made of?

    1. Methane ice
    2. Water vapor
    3. Sand
    4. Iron
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Methane ice They ride high in the atmosphere. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Methane clouds) · NASA Science: Neptune

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Neptune." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-126, last updated Dec 17, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/neptune/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/neptune/ · Last updated

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