Planetary Society logo
  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Neptune from JWST

Neptune from JWST
Neptune from JWST NASA's JWST spacecraft took this image of Neptune using its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), which captures objects in the near-infrared range from 0.6 to 5 microns. In addition to several bright narrow rings, the JWST images clearly show Neptune’s fainter dust bands. NASA/ESA/CSA and STScI

Neptune does not appear blue to JWST because its methane gas strongly absorbs near-infrared light. The planet is quite dark at JWST's wavelengths except where high-altitude clouds are present. These are visible in the as bright patches in the planet’s southern hemisphere. A thin line of brightness circling the planet’s equator could be a visual signature of global atmospheric circulation that powers Neptune’s winds and storms.