Vallis Snellius
Encyclopedia
Vallis Snellius is a linear valley on the near side of the Moon
. It is located in the rugged southeastern part of the visible surface, to the south of the Mare Fecunditatis
. This feature is radial to the Mare Nectaris
basin to the west-northwest, much like Vallis Rheita
to the southwest, and the two likely share a common origin. The selenographic coordinates
of this feature are , and it has a maximum length of 592 km, making it the longest named valley on the Moon.
Although linear, this valley is irregular in shape and has been heavily worn by impact erosion, making it difficult to trace across the surface. The crater Snellius
from which it is named lies across the valley, which cuts through the southern half of the crater floor. Near the northern part of the valley is the crater Borda
.
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
. It is located in the rugged southeastern part of the visible surface, to the south of the Mare Fecunditatis
Mare Fecunditatis
Mare Fecunditatis is a lunar mare which is 840 km in diameter. The Fecuditatis basin formed in the Pre-Nectarian epoch, while the basin material surrounding the mare is of the...
. This feature is radial to the Mare Nectaris
Mare Nectaris
The Sea of Nectar is a small lunar mare or sea located between the Sea of Tranquillity and the Sea of Fecundity . Montes Pyrenaeus borders the mare to the west and the large crater near the south center of the mare is known as Rosse...
basin to the west-northwest, much like Vallis Rheita
Vallis Rheita
Vallis Rheita is a linear valley on the near side of the Moon. It is located in the southeastern quadrant, and is oriented radially to Mare Nectaris. This valley appears to share a common origin with the Vallis Snellius to the northeast, as both are oriented radially with Mare Nectaris.The center...
to the southwest, and the two likely share a common origin. The selenographic coordinates
Selenographic coordinates
Selenographic coordinates are used to refer to locations on the surface of Earth's moon. Any position on the lunar surface can be referenced by specifying two numerical values, which are comparable to the latitude and longitude of Earth...
of this feature are , and it has a maximum length of 592 km, making it the longest named valley on the Moon.
Although linear, this valley is irregular in shape and has been heavily worn by impact erosion, making it difficult to trace across the surface. The crater Snellius
Snellius (crater)
Snellius is a lunar crater located near the southeast limb of the Moon. Because of foreshortening the crater appears oval in shape, although it is actually nearly round. To the northeast is the large crater Petavius. South of Snellius is the crater Stevinus....
from which it is named lies across the valley, which cuts through the southern half of the crater floor. Near the northern part of the valley is the crater Borda
Borda (crater)
Borda is a lunar crater that lies between Santbech to the north-northwest and Reichenbach slightly further away to the south-southeast. It has a low rim that is broken along the southeast by a smaller crater. The rim is intruded into by another small crater along the southwest side, and there is an...
.