Rupes Recta

The Straight Wall, one of the most famous lunar features - a prominent fault scarp on Mare Nubium.

Visual Description

Rupes Recta appeared as a dramatic straight line on the floor of Mare Nubium, visible as a dark shadow when illuminated from the east (before full moon) or as a bright line when illuminated from the west (after full moon). The fault scarp was remarkably linear, creating one of the Moon’s most distinctive features. The cliff face drops approximately 300 meters.

Notable Features

• Remarkably straight fault scarp, 110 km long
• Appears as shadow before full moon, bright after
• Drops approximately 240-300 meters
• Located on Mare Nubium
• One of the most famous lunar features

Notes

• Name means “Straight Wall” in Latin
• Best observed 8-10 days after new moon (shadow)
• Also dramatic 18-20 days (bright face)
• Coordinates: 22.1°S, 7.8°W
• Not truly vertical - slopes about 7°