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Rupes Recta is a linear fault on theMoon, in the southeastern part of theMare Nubium at22°06′S7°48′W / 22.1°S 7.8°W /-22.1; -7.8. The name is Latin forstraight cliff, although it is more commonly called theStraight Wall.[1] This is the best-knownescarpment on the Moon,[2][3] and is a popular target for amateur astronomers.[3][4]
When the sun illuminates the feature at an oblique angle at about day 8 of the Moon's orbit, the Rupes Recta casts a wide shadow that gives it the appearance of a steep cliff. The fault has a length of 110 km, a typical width of 2–3 km, and a height of 240–300 m. Thus although it appears to be a vertical cliff in the lunar surface, in actuality the grade of the slope is relatively shallow.
To the west of thisescarpment is the craterBirt, which is about 17 km in diameter. Also to the west is the Rima Birtrille. At the southern end is a group of hills often called the "Stag's-Horn Mountains", although this name is not officially recognized by theIAU.
To the northeast is the craterAlpetragius, and to the east isThebit.
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