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When did Voyager 2 fly past Neptune?
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Quick Answer
Voyager 2 flew past Neptune on 25 August 1989, making it the only spacecraft ever to visit the planet.
The Full Story
Launched in 1977, Voyager 2 took advantage of a rare alignment of the outer planets to visit Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Its closest approach to Neptune took it about 4,950 km above the planet's cloud tops near the north pole. It discovered a giant storm called the Great Dark Spot and imaged several previously unknown moons. It also saw geyser-like plumes on Neptune's largest moon, Triton. Voyager 2 remains the only spacecraft to have visited both Uranus, in 1986, and Neptune.
Key Facts
1.Voyager 2's closest approach to Neptune was on 25 August 1989.
2.It discovered Neptune's Great Dark Spot.
3.It is the only spacecraft to have visited Uranus and Neptune.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The only close-up we have — Voyager 2's historic Neptune encounter."