HUBBLE ATLAS
Blue Light Neptune Global Map from Hubble's OPAL Program (Dark Spot Closeup) — image from the Hubble Space Telescope

Solar System

Blue Light Neptune Global Map from Hubble's OPAL Program (Dark Spot Closeup)

June 27, 2016 · ESA/Hubble

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This new image taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope confirms the presence of a dark vortex in the atmosphere of Neptune. The dark spot measures roughly 4,800 kilometers across.

The image shows that the vortex is best seen at blue wavelengths. Only Hubble has the high resolution required for identifying such weather features on distant Neptune.