The Alpine Valley (Vallis Alpes) can be found on the northeastern edge of Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains). It is a narrow (10km) valley that extends for more than 150km between Mare Imbrium and Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold). The valley has a rille (Narrow Channel) running through the middle of it. It is quite difficult to see through a telescope but, with high enough magnification and a steady atmosphere, it is possible. The Alpine Valley may have been formed when tensional forces caused part of the Moon's crust to sink lower than adjacent regions of crust along parallel fault lines.
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| Alpine Valley (Image Credit: NASA) |
The Alpine Valley stretches 166km at a maximum width of 10km. The narrow rille contouring throughout the valley stretches 197km and has a maximum depth of 78m and a width being a mere 0.5km.
Observation
My abbreviated observation record can be found below:
My abbreviated observation record can be found below:
| Date | 2020-05-29 |
| Time | 22:23 |
| Sky | Clear |
| Telescope | 8" Reflector (1200mm F.L.) |
| Eyepiece | 10mm (2x Barlow) |
| Magnification | 240x |
Comments
The Alps (Montes Alpes) seem to get narrower in the southeastern region after the Alpine Valley bisects it. I noted a bright ejecta pattern directly south of the valley which may have been caused when the crater Cassini K was made. The seeing was not too bad (3/5) but I was unable to resolve the rille within the valley. I would opine that only the steadiest of skies would allow observation of this feature. I was, however, able to discern the flooded floor of the valley which indicates it is quite an old structure.
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| Alpine Valley Sketch |
Location
To help you locate this object a map has been provided from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Observer's Handbook. It is object A, highlighted below.
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| Alpine Valley (Valley) |
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