As one of the largest astronomy clubs in the country, the Denver Astronomical Society continues to grow and inspire stargazers of all experience levels. Whether you’re brand-new to observing or a seasoned skywatcher, 2026 promises another exciting year of celestial wonders to explore.

If you’re looking for a way to make your observing more meaningful, consider joining an Astronomical League observing program (membership in the AL is included with your DAS membership). These programs encourage you to journal your observations while working toward certificates and pins—like astronomy’s version of merit badges. They’re a fun, structured way to expand your skills and knowledge of the night sky.

Even if you’re not pursuing a specific program, this guide will help you discover—or rediscover—the many incredible objects visible in 2026. Be sure to check out our companion posts: When to Explore the 2026 Denver Night Skies  and Where to Explore the 2026 Denver Night Skies.

Constellations

There are 88 constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union, forming a celestial map that covers the entire sky. From Denver’s roughly 40° latitude, you can see most of the major seasonal constellations—each one marking a new chapter of the year’s sky story.

Naked Eye: Learning constellations like Orion, Ursa Major, and Scorpius is a great way to get your bearings. While city lights can wash out fainter stars, the main outlines of these patterns remain visible from much of Denver.
Binoculars and Telescopes: These aren’t ideal for viewing entire constellations, but they’re perfect for exploring the star clusters and nebulae that lie within them.

Try using a planisphere or an app like Stellarium to learn what’s overhead each month. The Astronomical League’s Constellation Hunter Program also offers a fun challenge: observe and sketch constellations as you learn their shapes and stories.

The Moon

The Moon is our closest celestial neighbor and one of the most rewarding objects to observe year-round. Though its brightness can interfere with deep-sky viewing, its ever-changing surface never fails to impress.

Naked Eye: Enjoy watching the phases—from delicate crescent to brilliant full Moon—no matter where you are in Denver.
Binoculars: Craters, mountains, and lunar “seas” become visible, especially along the terminator line where shadows reveal rich detail.
Telescope: Explore famous features like Tycho, Copernicus, and the Apennine Mountains, which look spectacular near the quarter phases.

To deepen your lunar journey, try the Astronomical League’s Lunar Observing Program, which guides you through 100 observable features. Or check out the Carpe Lunam guide to enhance your moon-gazing sessions.

Our Solar System

The planets of our solar system are some of the most captivating targets for observers in any year—and 2026 will be no exception.

Naked Eye: Bright worlds like Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars will each make appearances at different times of the year. Venus often dazzles as the “Morning Star” or “Evening Star,” while Jupiter and Saturn shine steadily even through Denver’s light pollution.
Binoculars: Spot Jupiter’s four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—as they shift positions nightly.
Telescope: A modest scope reveals Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands, and Mars’ polar caps when it’s near opposition.

You can plan your planetary observing sessions with a monthly sky chart or the Stellarium app. The Astronomical League’s Solar System Observing Program is a great way to track planets, moons, and even comets throughout the year.

Conjunctions, Occultations, and Eclipses

The motion of celestial bodies often creates striking alignments in the sky—moments that remind us of the solar system’s cosmic choreography.

Naked Eye: Watch for planetary conjunctions, such as Venus and Jupiter appearing close together. Lunar occultations, where the Moon passes in front of a planet or star, are also easy to enjoy without special equipment. And if 2026 brings a lunar or partial solar eclipse, it’s well worth the view (with proper eye protection, of course).
Binoculars: These enhance subtle color differences and let you see the precise moments when one object eclipses or occults another.
Telescope: Detailed views reveal surface features and fine color variations, especially during lunar eclipses or when planets align near bright stars.

To plan ahead, use an astronomy app or check upcoming event lists on reliable skywatching websites. You can also explore these alignments through the Solar System Observing Program from the Astronomical League.

The Stars

Stars are the jewels of the night sky—and there’s far more to them than meets the eye.

Naked Eye: Look for the brilliant stars Sirius, Vega, and Betelgeuse—three of the brightest visible from Denver.
Binoculars: Bring clusters like the Hyades and Pleiades into sparkling focus.
Telescope: Split colorful double stars such as Albireo in Cygnus (gold and blue) or Eta Cassiopeiae, a yellow-red pair. Try your hand at the Double-Double in Lyra or Beta Monocerotis, a triple star system.

A planisphere, star atlas, or an app like Stellarium can help you find these treasures. The Astronomical League offers multiple star-related programs—from Double Star to Variable Star and Multiple Star Observing—each tailored to different skill levels and equipment.

Deep Space Objects

Beyond our solar system lies a universe of nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies—collectively known as deep space objects. These are often cataloged by astronomers using designations like M42 (Messier 42) or NGC 869.

Naked Eye: Under dark skies, you can glimpse the Andromeda Galaxy as a faint glow and trace the soft band of the Milky Way.
Binoculars: The Pleiades, Beehive Cluster, and Orion Nebula become brilliant with even small binoculars.
Telescope: Peer into the heart of the Orion Nebula (M42), explore the Hercules Cluster (M13), or hunt for galaxies like M81 and M82 in Ursa Major.

Finding these deep-sky targets takes patience, but tools like a star atlas or the Stellarium app make it easier. The Astronomical League offers a range of programs—from Messier and Caldwell to Herschel and Globular Cluster—to guide your cosmic exploration.

Meteors

Few experiences match the thrill of a meteor streaking across the sky.

Naked Eye: The Perseids (August) and Geminids (December) are annual highlights, with dozens of meteors per hour under dark skies. Even near Denver, you can enjoy these shows—though a darker site will make them truly spectacular.
Binoculars/Telescope: Meteors move too quickly for most optics, but you might catch lingering trails from bright fireballs.

For dates and peak times, check the International Meteor Organization. If you’d like to add structure to your viewing, try the Astronomical League’s Meteor Observing Program, which rewards your efforts with a certificate and pin.

Keep Looking Up

These highlights represent just a fraction of what you can explore through the Astronomical League’s observing programs. Whether you prefer naked-eye viewing, binoculars, telescopes, or imaging, there’s a program to match your interests and equipment. With so much to see, 2026 is shaping up to be another exciting year for astronomy in Denver. Keep your logbook handy, share your discoveries with fellow DAS members, and most of all—enjoy the view.

Clear skies and happy stargazing!