 Anna Sofaer proposed that many of the great houses in Chaco Canyon were constructed to emphasize astronomical alignments; during the minor lunar standstill, the full moon rises along Chetro Ketl's back wall.Chetro Ketl is located opposite a large opening in the canyon known as South Gap, which helped maximize the building's exposure to the sun while increasing visibility and access to the south.Its rear wall runs parallel to the canyon, and at less than from the cliffs its proximity allowed inhabitants to benefit from passive solar energy emanating from the rocks.