# Neptune (DD-126)

> 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.

- Department: Space
- First published: 2023-12-17
- Last updated: 2023-12-17
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/neptune/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1989**: Voyager 2 flies past Neptune

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=neptune

## Quick facts

- **DD-126-F01**: Neptune's winds reach about 2,100 km/h. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Fastest winds))_
- **DD-126-F02**: Voyager 2 saw the Great Dark Spot in 1989. _(Write-up · Exhibit C (Great Dark Spot))_

## 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. **Fastest winds**: Neptune has the strongest winds measured on any planet, up to about 2,100 km/h.
2. **Voyager 2**: Voyager 2 flew past Neptune in 1989.
3. **Great Dark Spot**: Voyager 2 photographed a huge storm called the Great Dark Spot.
4. **Not permanent**: Neptune's dark spots come and go.
5. **Methane clouds**: Bright, high methane-ice clouds streak across the planet.

## Related case files

- [Supercell (DD-612)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/supercell/): I paired it with Earth's most powerful storms
- [Jupiter (DD-129)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/jupiter/): I paired it with Neptune's storms

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Fifteen hundred mph or twenty-four hundred kph': those two figures don't match each other. Wikipedia gives up to about 2,100 km/h, roughly 1,300 mph.

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

- Duration: 28.2 s · Published: 2023-12-17
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C08U6ENsZUc.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How fast can Neptune's winds blow?**  
A: The fastest of any planet. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Fastest winds) · Wikipedia: Neptune)_

**Q: Which spacecraft flew past Neptune?**  
A: In 1989. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Voyager 2) · NASA Science: Neptune; Wikipedia: Neptune)_

**Q: What did Voyager 2 photograph?**  
A: A huge southern storm. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Great Dark Spot) · Wikipedia: Neptune; Wikipedia: Great Dark Spot)_

**Q: Are Neptune's dark spots permanent?**  
A: Hubble saw new ones form. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Not permanent) · Wikipedia: Neptune; Wikipedia: Great Dark Spot)_

**Q: What are Neptune's bright clouds made of?**  
A: They ride high in the atmosphere. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Methane clouds) · NASA Science: Neptune)_

## Sources

- [NASA Science: Neptune](https://science.nasa.gov/neptune/)
- [Wikipedia: Neptune](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neptune)
- [Wikipedia: Great Dark Spot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Dark_Spot)

## 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/