Vallis Snellius

Vallis Snellius is a linear valley on the near side of the

Moon The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It is the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System and the largest and most massive relative to its parent planet, with a diameter about one-quarter that of Earth (comparable to the width of ...

. It is located in the rugged southeastern part of the visible surface, to the south of the

Mare Fecunditatis Mare Fecunditatis (Latin ''fēcunditātis'', the "Sea of Fecundity" or "Sea of Fertility") is a lunar mare in the eastern half of the visible Moon. The mare has a maximum diameter of 840 km. __NOTOC__ Description The Fecunditatis basin forme ...

. This feature is radial to the

Mare Nectaris Mare Nectaris (Latin ''nectaris'', the "Sea of Nectar") is a small lunar mare or sea (a volcanic lava plain noticeably darker than the rest of the Moon's surface) located south of Mare Tranquillitatis southwest of Mare Fecunditatis, on the near ...

basin to the west-northwest, much like

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 ...

to the southwest, and the two likely share a common origin. The

selenographic coordinates The selenographic coordinate system is 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 , 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. The valley cuts through the southern half of the crater floor. Near the northern part of the valley is the crater Borda. Snellius, Vallis {{Valleys on the Moon