Space Math @ NASA
SpaceMath@NASA introduces students to the use of mathematics in todays scientific discoveries. Through press releases and other articles, we explore how many kinds of mathematics skills come together in exploring the universe.
Social Media
Join our Listserve: For email announcements about Space Math, join the SpaceMath Listserve.
For the latest Space Math Image of the Week, visit our facebook page by clicking on the button below.
Surveys
Take our Surveys: If you are an educator, please also consider completing a brief survey regarding how you use this resource.
Teacher Survey: Enter Survey
Student Survey: Enter Survey
Case Study School: Enter Survey
Math in the News
A behind-the-scenes look at the math in NASA press releases
Problem 464: Big Moons and Small Planets!
Students work with a scaled drawing of 26 large moons in the solar system, and together with an exercise in using
simple fractions, explore the relative sizes of the moons compared to Earth.
(PDF)
Problem 463: A Simple Fuel Gauge in a Cylindrical Tank
Rockets use fuel tanks that can be approximated as cylinders. In this simple geometric exercise, students work
the formula for the volume of a cylinder to add a fuel gauge at the right level to indicate how much fuel remains.
(PDF)
Problem 462: Using a Gravity Lens to Weigh a Cluster of Galaxies
[Press Release]
Students explore how the geometry of a gravity lens can be used to measure the mass of the object producing the gravity.
(PDF)
(More problems from 2011-2012)
Transit of Venus 2012
Math resources for the Transit of Venus - Click Here -
