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.
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SpaceMath@NASA News Updates
March: NASA Press Release about SpaceMath@NASA- [Read Press Release]
July: New math guide to Mars Exploration and the Curiosity Rover - [Click Here]
August: Expanded and updated math guide on Black Holes posted- [Click Here]
November: SpaceMath@NASA served 6,000,000th math problem at the website!
December: New multi-media Grade 6 Math Modules added- [Click Here]
February: New multi-media Grade 8 Math Modules added- [Click Here]
Math in the News
A behind-the-scenes look at the math in NASA press releases
Problem 501: Exploring the Most Distant Galaxies
Students explore the most distant galaxies in the Hubble Extreme Deep Field using a fifth-order polynomial and linear approximations.
(PDF)
Problem 500: Curiosity USes X-Ray Diffraction to Identify Minerals
Students explore the geometry of X-ray diffraction rings measured by the Curiosity Rover on Mars to estimate the separation distance between crystal planes in a surface rock sample.
(PDF)
Problem 497: Exploring Magnetic Fields in Space
Students explore the shape of a magnetic field by graphing a magnetic field line from a data table, estimating slopes, and determing the equation of a magnetic field line from calculus.
(497:Graphing) | (498:Algebra) | (499:Calculus)
(More problems from 2012-2013)
International Space Math Problem
The featured space math problem in Spanish!
For more translations including spanish, german, turkish and others, visit our growing archive [here]
Multi-Media Math Modules
Grades 6, 7 and 8: Standards-based, multi-media math resources featuring NASA eClips video segments, readings from NASA
press releases, online interactive resources, and of course math problems!
[click here]
Problem Archives
Partnering NASA Missions
Astrophysics:
- Chandra - Click here
- Kepler - Click here
- James Webb ST - Click here
Earth Science:
- Aura - Under development
- SAGE-III - Under development
Heliophysics:
- Hinode - Click here
- IMAGE - Click here
- MMS - Click here
- RBSP - Click here
- THEMIS - Click here
Planetary:
- Cassini - Click here
- Dawn - Mission Math
- EPOXI - Click here
- InSight - Under development
- Juno - Click here
Partnering NASA Programs
- Eyes on the Solar System - Click here
- NASA eClips Videos - Click here
- Sun-Earth Day - Click here
- Solar System Exploration - Click here
- Stanford Solar Center - Click here
