This is an image of Neptune, and shows the Great Dark Spot.
Click on image for full size
NASA
A Look at Neptune's Clouds
Like Jupiter and all the giant planets, Neptune's appearance shows a striped pattern of clouds. Other cloud shapes seen over time include a small dark spot, the "
scooter" and the Great Dark Spot. The
Great Dark Spot is the largest of the cloud patterns on Neptune. There are also clouds which are similar to recognizable
Earth clouds. The clouds are found low in the atmosphere of Neptune.
The atmosphere of Neptune is mostly made of a complex molecule called methane.
Hazes of smog on Neptune, made of methane and other, even more complex molecules, are to be found very high up, above the clouds of Neptune.
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This image shows some clouds known as "cirrus" clouds, extending for many kilometers across the face of Neptune. These clouds are very high up, for they can be seen to cast shadows on the lower clouds,
...moreThis image of Neptune uses false colors to show where the smog is. The smog of Neptune can be seen in red along the edge of the image. These hazes of smog are found at very high altitudes, over the clouds
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...moreNeptune's atmosphere shows a striped pattern of clouds. This cloud pattern is very similar to that of Jupiter and Saturn. Neptune even has a Great Dark Spot similar to Jupiter's Great Red Spot. The history
...moreThis image shows the new Great Dark Spot of Neptune, which was discovered using the Hubble Space Telescope. The image shown here, shows a "hole" in the clouds of Neptune in pink, in the northern hemisphere,
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...moreLike Jupiter and all the giant planets, Neptune's appearance shows a striped pattern of clouds. Other cloud shapes seen over time include a small dark spot, the "scooter" and the Great Dark Spot. The Great
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