ABAS activities · 2026

June 29–July 2, 2026

Greater Washington Astronomy and Space Science Camp

Four days in Rockville

The American Boötes Astronomical Society held its 2026 Greater Washington Astronomy and Space Science Camp from June 29 to July 2 in Rockville, Maryland. Campers from many backgrounds spent four days exploring planets and the solar system together.

On June 29, two elementary students from Israel and Iran sat side by side in class, a reminder that curiosity about the night sky knows no borders.

Campers and instructors holding an ABAS summer camp banner outside the school — Campers, instructors, and volunteers on opening day of the 2026 camp.

Elementary campers at their desks in the camp classroom — Campers from many backgrounds in the camp classroom.

Guest lectures and classroom science

On June 29, campers listened closely as Dr. Rick Fienberg, a Harvard-trained astronomer and internationally recognized science educator, explained how Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. His talk was one of several guest lectures at the four-day camp, showing students firsthand how scientists study planets and solar system history.

In the classroom, campers dug into the basics of astronomy, from how planets form to the history of our solar system. ABAS leaders Renjiang Xie and Ruofan Wang, along with guest instructors, used engaging talks and discussion to show students how real scientists investigate the universe, sparking questions that lasted well past the classes.

Campers watching a guest astronomy lecture shown on a classroom screen — Campers listen to Dr. Rick Fienberg explain how Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.

Campers in a classroom watching an astronomy presentation — Campers learn how planets form and how the solar system developed.

Rockets, paper instruments, and microscopes

Campers gathered on the school field to launch water rockets they had designed and assembled themselves. Each flight served as a hands-on physics lesson, letting students feel how pressure, propulsion, and aerodynamics work together.

Students built simple paper astronomy instruments inspired by ancient Chinese sky-watching tools, learning how early astronomers tracked time and observed the heavens long before the telescope existed.

Through microscopes, campers examined thin slices of meteorites alongside biological specimens, comparing textures and structures up close.

Campers launching a water rocket on the school grounds — Campers launch water rockets they designed and assembled themselves.

Campers taking turns at a microscope — Campers examine meteorite slices and biological specimens under a microscope.

Campers cutting and assembling paper astronomy instruments — Students build paper instruments inspired by ancient Chinese sky-watching tools.

Volunteers and certificates

High school volunteers, including students from the Chinese Youth Organization Club (CYOC), assisted with classes and daily activities throughout the four-day camp, mentoring younger campers and helping create a rewarding learning environment for everyone who took part.

After four days of learning, building, and exploring together, campers proudly showed the certificates of completion they had earned. Beyond the certificates, students left with new friendships, new skills, and a deeper curiosity about the universe waiting for them.

High school volunteers standing with Renjiang Xie in a classroom — High school volunteers with ABAS founder and camp leader Renjiang Xie.

Camp video

June 29, 2026

Rockville Sidewalk Astronomy Night

At 8 p.m. on June 29, ABAS held its 2026 Rockville Sidewalk Astronomy Outreach Night on the lawn behind Robert Frost Middle School. Nearly 200 students, parents, and neighbors turned out to view the night sky, with Hispanic, Mexican American, and Armenian American families volunteering side by side to welcome the crowd.

Participants and a telescope on a school lawn at sunset — The Rockville sidewalk astronomy night on June 29, 2026.

August 12, 2026

Total Solar Eclipse in Lerma, Spain

Setting up in Lerma

On August 12, 2026, the American Boötes Astronomical Society’s eclipse photography team observed and photographed the total solar eclipse in Lerma, in the Spanish province of Burgos. Four team members and a family of five, nine people in all, set up observing equipment on high ground to record this rare, spectacular total eclipse.

With the Sun low in the sky, an unobstructed horizon in its direction was especially important. Grassland stretched into the distance at the team’s chosen site, with trees scattered across the landscape. The team photographed the eclipse using telescopes, cameras, and telephoto lenses. The group also included students learning astrophotography.

Telescopes, cameras, and tripods set up on high ground in Lerma, with a computer and equipment bags on the grass — The eclipse photography team sets up on high ground in Lerma on August 12, 2026.

Cars parked on the grass at the Lerma observing site, with tripods, cameras, and team members around them — An overview of the total solar eclipse observing site in Lerma.

Sunspots, corona, and Baily’s beads

Before totality, the team photographed sunspots through solar filters. As the Moon covered the Sun’s bright photosphere, the corona appeared around its dark silhouette, with red prominences extending beyond the edge. Just before and after totality, sunlight passed through valleys along the Moon’s limb, briefly forming Baily’s beads. Images taken at different moments were overlaid in post-processing to show how these details changed.

The solar disk photographed through a solar filter, showing groups of dark sunspots — Sunspots photographed through solar filters before totality, mostly in pairs or groups.

Composite of eclipse images showing Baily’s beads and red prominences along the Moon’s edge — A composite of images taken at different moments, showing changes in Baily’s beads and prominences.

The total solar eclipse in Lerma, with the corona around the Moon’s dark silhouette and red prominences at the edge — The total solar eclipse photographed by the team in Lerma. The corona extends around the Moon’s dark silhouette, with red prominences visible along the edge.

The team in the field

Alongside close-ups of the eclipse, the team photographed the site, their vehicles, and their equipment. The nine participants posed on the grass holding flags, with telescopes and tripods beside them. Together, these photographs and the eclipse images document their trip to observe the total solar eclipse in Spain.

A team member in Lerma holding a tripod with a camera and telephoto lens — A team member with a camera and telephoto lens.

A team member beside a telescope with a camera attached at the rear, mounted on a tripod — A team member with a telescope and camera setup.

A team member beside a telescope with a red imaging camera and a flag planted next to it — A telescope with a red imaging camera at the Lerma site.

Nine members of the eclipse trip holding flags on golden grass at the Lerma site — The nine participants in the eclipse photography trip to Spain at the observing site in Lerma.