How to observe Vallis Alpes
First find the broad slash through the mountains. Treat the central rille as an advanced target requiring particularly steady conditions.
Finding the region
Look at 49.21° N, 3.63° E on the lunar disc. The chart marker identifies the catalogue centre. Start with a wide field and use the nearby formations below as landmarks.
Equipment & conditions
Locate a larger nearby landmark before increasing magnification. Fine channels and slopes demand steady air and favourable illumination. The marker identifies the catalogue centre, not the complete outline of the formation.
Lighting
For surface relief, try a time when the Sun is low over this region. To compare surface brightness and any bright rays, return under higher illumination. The atlas calculates the solar elevation at the formation’s centre for any selected date.
View Vallis Alpes in the atlas →
