Southern Arizona is known as one of the best places for professional and amateur astronomers and Kitt Peak, southwest of Tucson, has been facilitating and allowing this field to grow for decades. The facility is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Tony Paniagua speaks with two avid astronomers about the observatory's significance and what their groups try to accomplish. Among other things, Stephen Pompea, PhD is project director of the US International Year of Astronomy 2009 and he's also the Scientist and Manager of Science Education for NOAO: National Optical Astronomy Observatory, which is located at the University of Arizona. Ken Shaver is the president of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.