For comparison, the images at right show Neptune as it appeared to Voyager 2 in 1989 and to the HST in February of this year. The disappearance of the Great Dark Spot in just six years was totally unexpected. The HST will continue to monitor Neptune periodically on the chance that the Dark Spot or other major features may again appear in the atmosphere of this very distant planet. High Res JPEG file. The planet Neptune as imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in February, 1995.
North is to the upper left.
The few white clouds were the only features visible. High Res JPEG file. The planet Neptune as imaged by Voyager 2 in August, 1989. North is up. The Great Dark Spot and several other cloud features are visible.