The desert climate in Arizona means that there are a lot of wide open spaces without a lot of light pollution, and the Kitt Peak National Observatory is is located in an ideal spot for stargazing. 56 miles west of Tuscon, the observatory is positioned on Kitt Peak in the Quinlan Mountains in the Arizona-Sonoran Desert. Groundbreaking astronomical research is conducted there, but it is still open to the public and boasts a very impressive Visitor Center.