When the sun sets over the rugged cliffs of the Negev, a second world wakes up. While most of the planet struggles with light pollution, the Ramon Crater (known locally as Makhtesh Ramon) offers a window into the universe so clear that it has been officially recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. For anyone interested in astronomy or the raw beauty of the desert, this is the ultimate destination in Israel. Why Mitzpe Ramon is the Capital of Israel Astronomy Located on