Observe the Moon Night with Capitol Tech

Join Capitol Tech for a fun and free evening of space exploration! As a NASA-registered event site for International Observe the Moon Night, we invite the community to explore the wonders of space through interactive activities, astronomy talks, rocket launches and more!

For more information about this global celebration, visit the NASA page.

Details

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Time: 6:00–10:00 PM

Location: 11301 Springfield Rd., Laurel, MD 20708

Open to students and the public.

This event is rain or shine with indoor and outdoor activities scheduled. Please dress for the weather.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Schedule:

Check-In

Sign-in at our check-in table and choose your launch time. Be sure to pick up an event schedule, Lunar Passport raffle ticket, and other free giveaways! As you move through each activity, receive a stamp towards a prize!

Talks & Lectures | Auditorium | 6:00–8:00PM (Schedule subject to change)

6:00 p.m.
Welcome to Capitol Tech and Introduction to Observe the Moon Night
with Jeff Volosin, Department Head of Engineering
Learn about Capitol Technology University, our engineering programs, and the evening’s activities.

6:30 p.m.
The Artemis Program
with Jeff Volosin, Department Head of Engineering
Explore NASA’s Artemis program and its goal of returning humans to the Moon while laying the groundwork for future exploration.

7:00 p.m.
The TESS Program
with Jeff Volosin, Department Head of Engineering
Explore NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) with former TESS Project Manager, Jeff Volosin, and learn how engineers and scientists developed a spacecraft capable of discovering planets beyond our solar system.

8:00 p.m.
Exploring the Night Sky & the Moon
with Glenn Bock, Astronautical Engineering Adjunct Faculty
Discover what you can see in the current night sky, learn about interesting celestial objects and take a closer look at the Moon. This presentation will highlight lunar features, Apollo landing sites and locations visited by robotic spacecraft, followed by an introduction to using a telescope.

Activities | On-Campus | 6:00–8:00PM

Apollo 11 Landing Site Recreation | Campus Field
See just how small the Apollo 11 landing site and the astronauts’ lunar walking paths really were. Visual displays and Capitol Tech students will help bring the historic mission to life.

Build a Rocket | Fusion Lab
Design and build your own rocket for a colorful nighttime launch with glo-sticks! Rocket-building sessions begin every half-hour, with space for up to 20 participants per session. Participants must sign up to build and launch on-site and will receive an assigned launch time after they complete their rocket build. Once the sun goes down, your rocket will take flight during the evening’s Night Launch, in collaboration with Fire Rockets.

Capitol Tech's Rocket Club students will also showcase a collection of rocket kits and builds completed over the years.

Lunar Map | Outside Auditorium
Kids are invited to study the Moon and draw the lunar features they can identify on a take-home lunar map. Turn in your completed map to receive a small prize.

Straw Rockets Launch | Hallway Near Fusion Lab
Try your hand at launching an air-powered straw rocket and see how close you can get to the target.

Activities | On-Campus | 8:00–10:00PM

Observe the Night Sky | SFOTC & Area Behind Fusion Lab
Once darkness falls, take a closer look at the Moon and other highlights in the night sky through a collection of telescopes. More than a dozen telescopes, including our ALPHA Observatory, will be available for public viewing. Meet students from our Capitol Tech Astronomy Club.

Night Rocket Launch | Campus Field
Watch your rocket launch under the night sky and see how close it can land to the large, glow-in-the-dark target on the field. The launch will be managed by the Fire Rockets team and students, with assistance from members of the Capitol Tech Rocket Club.