Look to the skies: Explore dark places, observatories and astronomy clubs around Arizona

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‘Tis the season for nighttime activities (at lower temperatures) — and in Arizona, one of the best things to do at night is to look up. Our state is one of the best in the country for stargazing, with almost 20 certified International Dark Sky Places, astronomy clubs and observatories.

Here are just a few:

In metro Phoenix

Gilbert Riparian Preserve is home to the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory with a city-enforced dark-sky policy.

White Tank Mountain Regional Park hosts ranger-led stargazing programs.

Saguaro Lake in the Tonto National Forest has a low light pollution area — perfect for camping under the stars.

Observatories around Arizona

Dark Sky Observatory (Fountain Hills) houses a 27.5-inch PlaneWave telescope used for public viewings, astrophotography and deep space imaging.

Lowell Observatory (Flagstaff) hosts nightly telescope viewings in a historic setting.

Mount Graham International Observatory (Safford) offers public tours and behind-the-scenes looks at one of the most advanced research observatories in the country.

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium (Tucson) hosts family stargazing nights.

Kitt Peak National Observatory (near Tucson) is home to one of the largest collections of optical telescopes in the world and nighttime programming for the public.

Library of Congress

Astronomy clubs

Saguaro Astronomy Club is an amateur club that has lectures, observing sessions and educational classes for beginners.

Phoenix Astronomical Society meets at Paradise Valley Community College and hosts regular workshops, public star parties and lectures.

East Valley Astronomy Club collaborates with communities and schools around the Valley and is often at the Gilbert Centennial Observatory.