Sharing the Night Sky with the Public Since 1949

For over seventy-five years, the Denver Astronomical Society has brought together stargazers across the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. The society hosts dozens of events and activities yearly to promote amateur astronomy across our unique region, one mile nearer the stars.

June

8:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Open House

Looking for a FREE fun family activity? Join the Denver Astronomical Society for our monthly Open House Saturday night at dusk. This event will occur on the south lawn of DU’s historic Chamberlin Observatory, 2930 E. Warren Avenue, Denver. Weather … Read More ...

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All About Comets: Origins, Discoveries and their Names

With all the comet buzz this year—from C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) to C/2025 R2 (SWAN) to several other icy visitors lighting up our skies—it’s the perfect time to explore what comets really are, how astronomers have studied them through history, and how these ancient wanderers get their names. Frozen Time Capsules of the Early Solar System Comets are leftovers from the birth of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. They formed in the cold outer regions of the solar nebula, where rock, dust, and frozen gases like water, carbon dioxide, and methane clumped together. Most now reside in two…
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What’s Up in Denver? October 27th through November 2nd, 2025

Here’s a brief look at what’s going on in the Mile High City this week. October 27: Astronomy on Tap – Boulder with Dr. Hal Levison, Dr. John Spencer, and Matt Benjamin: Free In-person presentation: 📍Rayback Collective: 6:00 PM DAS E-Board Meeting: Online Meeting via Zoom (check membership email for details): 7:00 PM October 28: Look for the ringed gas giant Saturn between the constellations Aquarius and Pisces about 45° above the southern horizon: 10:00 PM October 29: Screening of Gathered in Darkness, a 2024 total solar eclipse documentary premiere, followed by a panel and Q&A with scientists Amir Caspi,…
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What’s Up in Denver? October 20th through 26th, 2025

Here’s a brief look at what’s going on in the Mile High City this week. October 20: Look for the gas giant Jupiter next to the twins Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini in the eastern sky after midnight. October 21: Catch comets C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) with your naked eye: 7:30 PM & 10:00 PM Boulder Stargazing – Dark Skies & Deep Space: Orionids and the Science of Starlight (Registration required): 📍 Beech Shelter, Boulder: 5:45 PM New Beaver Moon: 6:25 AM October 22: Orioinid Meteor Shower Peaks: After Midnight Dark Sky Salida Presentation: 📍 Valley View…
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Two Bright Comets on the Same October Night

On the evening of October 21, 2025, skywatchers are in for a rare celestial treat: not one but two comets—C/2025 R2 (SWAN) and C/2025 A6 (Lemmon)—will be bright enough to spot with the naked eye. To make the night even more special, it also falls on the new moon, meaning the sky will be as dark as it gets, free of interfering moonlight. That gives observers the best possible conditions to enjoy both comets on the same night—a truly extraordinary opportunity for amateur and seasoned astronomers alike. What is a Comet? Comets are often described as “dirty snowballs” — icy…
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Chamberlin Observatory Tours

The Denver Astronomical Society hosts weekly and monthly events* at the University of Denver’s historic Chamberlin Observatory, which features its prized 1894 Alvan Clark-Saegmuller 20-inch refracting telescope. The Observatory serves as the DAS home base for numerous Astronomy Nights, Open Houses, and special events throughout the year.

Due to overwhelming demand, we are changing how we reserve our Astronomy Nights and adding more to the calendar. For details, see our Reservations page.

If you have any questions about EXISTING reservations or want to change your existing reservation, email us at reservations@denverastro.org.

M•45 – Pleiades, Seven Sisters, Subaru image by Darrell Dodge

Astrophotography Special Interest Group

The Denver Astronomical Society (DAS) has established a Special Interest Group amongst its members devoted to Astrophotography. Do you want to learn or improve your skills in astrophotography? Do you enjoy viewing pictures of the Sun, Moon, Planets, or Deep Sky Objects? Can you take similar images? You may have skills that you could pass on to novice members. Consider joining DAS and being part of this Special Interest Group. Please email us for more information. astrophotogroup@denverastro.org

The Van Nattan-Hansen-Anderson Scholarship

Established in 1973, the DAS Van Nattan-Hansen-Anderson Scholarship supports graduating high school and undergraduate college students majoring in astronomy and the physical sciences. Interested and eligible students are invited to apply for funding on the Scholarship Page.