NASA | The Math Blaster Blog

A NASA Rover to Explore Greenland

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Math Blaster

The NASA organization has always been known for its monumental work in the field of science. With all of the exploration expeditions the organization initiates and all of the monumental discoveries it has made, there is no doubt that NASA is an innovator in the science world. In addition to this, NASA is perhaps most known for its great discoveries in outer space. However, NASA has begun a new scientific journey with a rover that will explore the highest, most frigid parts of Greenland.

Higher than normal temperatures in the summer of 2012 caused melting to around 97 percent of Greenland’s massive ice sheet region, garnering widespread attention to and worry about this area. In light of this, NASA is launching its “GROVER” rover, which is short for “Greenland Rover” and “Goddard Remotely Operated Vehicle for Exploration and Research.” This rover will be able to explore the extremely cold conditions in Greenland to collect data that can help scientists gain further knowledge about how Greenland’s massive ice sheet operates.

GROVER is a robot of multiple functionalities. To begin, the robot stands six feet tall. In addition to this, the GROVER is also friendly to the environment, as it gains all of its energy from solar panels. The genius behind the solar-powered nature of this machine is that the sun never travels below the horizon during the summer season in the Arctic, making it easy for GROVER to work throughout the day.

The GROVER will be using ground-penetrating radar during its time in Greenland. This will be used to test and study how snow accumulates on the ground. In the bigger picture, these studies will help scientists understand how layers and layers of ice form on the ice sheet over time. Moreover, GROVER presents a great innovation in scientific exploration of this region because it can replace the use of aircraft or satellites.

There are many exciting things going on in the world of science today. With so many new innovations and creative ways to explore the world around us, there are sure to be great new discoveries coming our way. Use these types of current events to your advantage by turning them into a teaching moment. Engage your child in conversation, and perhaps even challenge them with other science or math activities.

Filed under: Current Events, Just for Fun, Newsletter, Science Facts, Technology and Kids, What's New | Tagged: Greenland Rover, GROVER, Math Blaster, NASA, science | Leave a comment »

Latest Outer Space Discoveries

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Math Blaster

Earth is one planet in an 8-planet solar system, and all these planets orbit the sun. In addition to this, we know there are endless numbers of celestial bodies in space, with thousands of different systems, stars and galaxies. Recently, however, NASA’S Kepler space telescope made some monumental discoveries — there are three super-Earth-size planets in the Milky Way galaxy that lie in a “habitable zone.”

The reason why this specific Kepler spacecraft discovery is so important is because it signifies that scientists are closer than ever before to finding other Earth-like planets. These recently discovered planets are rocky in composition, and have a size relatively similar to Earth’s. Also, these planets orbit around a star in a “habitable zone.” By this, scientists mean that the planets orbit far away enough from its central star to have a lower surface temperature. This could even mean that water may be found on the planets’ surfaces.

There are a variety of ways to get your child’s imagination engaged in these current events. As scientists draw closer and closer to finding out more about the intricacies of the depths of space, what types of questions is your child asking?

During these times, perhaps you could take the opportunity to have your child express their imagination through creative means such as drawings and paintings. Pose hypothetical questions to them, such as “If there was a new planet just like Earth, what would it look like?” Have your child draw out a creative design, and engage them in conversations about these recent, exciting scientific discoveries.

Also, as you discuss these recent scientific breakthroughs, you can also challenge your child to extend their critical thinking with different activities. Continue to stay on the lookout for the latest and greatest science and Math Blaster updates here.

Filed under: Current Events, Family Fun, Just for Fun, Newsletter, Parents and Kids, Science Facts, Technology and Kids, Uncategorized, What's New | Tagged: NASA, NASA Kepler, Science discovery, Science News | Leave a comment »

Landsat 5 Satellite Sets World Record

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Math Blaster

Decades after Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union, there are still records being set by satellites in outer space. For example, the Landsat 5, a satellite launched by NASA on March 1, 1984, has just recently set a world record for being the longest orbiting satellite in history.

Landsat 5 was initially launched as a cooperative effort between NASA and USGS (United States Geological Survey) to take satellite photographs of the Earth using a multi-spectral scanner system and a thematic mapper. The photographs the Landsat 5 has taken over the years show how the world has been changing from shrinking glaciers and forests to wildfires and volcanoes. Through the years, these photos have helped scientists understand how the world is changing and how people are changing it.

It is hard to believe that the Landsat 5 has survived in space for almost 29 years. When it had first launched into space, Ronald Reagan was president and the country was gearing up for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which seems like ages ago.

The Landsat 5 has orbited the Earth more than 150,000 times, which means that it has traveled over four billion miles in space. Not bad for a satellite that was only supposed to last for three years.

Filed under: Current Events, Parents and Kids, Science Facts, Technology and Kids | Tagged: current news, NASA, satellite, space, technology, world record | 2 Comments »

NASA Telescope Makes Discovery

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Math Blaster

We all know that our solar system is composed of our sun, eight different planets, their moons, and other objects such as asteroids. Scientists’ views of the solar system have not changed in any monumental way in the past years, aside from when Pluto ceased to be considered an official planet in 2006. However, NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope has found a great discovery — the Milky Way galaxy, which is home to our solar system, contains at least 100 billion alien planets.

This number seems very large, and questions may arise as to how this estimation ever came to be. Scientists calculated this number after studying a system called the Kepler-32, which is a system containing five planets that is around 915 light-years from Earth. The Kepler Space Telescope’s job is to notice the small declines in a star’s brightness. This miniscule decline is an indication of a planet crossing the star’s face, which is how the Kepler Space Telescope found the five planets in the Kepler-32.

The Kepler-32 planets orbit around a star called an M dwarf, which is the most common type of star in the Milky Way. In fact, M dwarfs make up about 75 percent of the Milky Way’s stars. Kepler-32 has also served as a type of benchmark for the other systems orbiting around M dwarfs in the Milky Way. Specifically, the Kepler Space Telescope has observed planets around different M dwarf stars behaving in the same manner as the planets in Kepler-32.

In short, scientists created a calculation based on the types of planetary systems that the Kepler can detect; these celestial systems can only be detected by the Kepler if they are oriented in a specific way for the telescope to see. Because of this, scientists have calculated the statistical likelihood that an M dwarf system in the Milky Way would be in the specific position for the telescope to detect, and then combined this figure with the number of systems that the Kepler could actually detect. These calculations lead to our big number — 100 billion alien planets.

The extraordinary part about space is that this calculation may be a modest estimate — scientists recognize that they are only theorizing about planets orbiting around M dwarf stars, but are not considering planets that could be orbiting around other stars. As such, the number mentioned previously could be easily doubled. Whatever the case, the simple truth is that our galaxy, let alone the millions of other galaxies that exist beyond the Milky Way, is very vast. Scientists are still experimenting and researching to find out more about it, but in the meantime, we can all continue to use our imaginations. Encourage your Blasters to think about what could be out in space, and maybe you can engage them in fun activities that will get their creativity flowing. Let us know about any ideas you have! Comment below, because we cannot wait to hear from you.

Filed under: Current Events, Family Fun, Just for Fun, Newsletter, Parents and Kids, Science Facts, Technology and Kids, Uncategorized, What's New | Tagged: Kepler, Kepler Space Telescope, Kepler-32, NASA, Science facts | Leave a comment »

The Dragon’s Flight

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Math Blaster

On Sunday, October 28^th, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft splashed into the waters about 250 miles off the coast of Baja California after a trip to the International Space Station. The vehicle was designed to transport pressurized and unpressurized cargo as well as passengers to and from space. According to CNN, Dragon’s return marked the first successful commercial cargo mission to Earth’s orbit. The spacecraft transported approximately 900 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station, returning with nearly 1,700 pounds of freight comprised mostly of used hardware and scientific research material.

Dragon’s mission, called CRS-1, began on October 7^th when the Falcon 9 rocket launched the spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. During the spacecraft’s launch, one of the Falcon 9’s engines malfunctioned but the launch team was able to successfully send Dragon into space despite this issue. Scientists are looking to correct this problem as the CRS-1 was only the first of twelve scheduled launches NASA has planned for Dragon.

After being recovered from its splashdown, Dragon was transported back to SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas while its cargo was sent to NASA to be analyzed. NASA and SpaceX are optimistic about the significance of Dragon’s first mission as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden told CNN, “This work will transform our relationship to space, save money and create jobs.” SpaceX’s CEO and CTO Elon Musk also commented that “This historic mission signifies the restoration of America’s ability to deliver and return critical space station cargo.”

Scientists believe that Dragon’s CRS-1 mission is a trailblazer for future space travel and suggests exciting possibilities for living in space. What cool facts have you learned about SpaceX’s Dragon? Do you think it will be possible to live in outer space someday? Let us know your thoughts on this groundbreaking event!

Filed under: Current Events, Newsletter, Technology and Kids | Tagged: Dragon, International Space Station, NASA, Outer Space, SpaceX | 2 Comments »

One More Trip For The Endeavour

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Math Blaster

The NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour has been through quite a journey! It had a 20-year-long career in space and just a couple of weeks ago (September 21, 2012 to be exact), it landed in Los Angeles after a cross-country retirement tour. Now, the Endeavour is preparing for the last leg of its journey to its new home at the California Science Center — a 12-mile long journey through the busy streets of Los Angeles, California.

You might be asking yourself, “How can a space shuttle travel through the streets of Los Angeles?” A team composed of the California Science Center, the cities of Los Angeles and Inglewood, and logistical and engineering experts came together to decide the best route that the Endeavour could take from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to its final destination at the California Science Center.

This team developed a state-of-the-art way to help the Endeavour maneuver the streets, trees, lights, and utility poles through the city called the Endeavour Transportation System. The aim of this system is to move the Endeavour to the California Science Center in one piece.

According to the Science Center, removing the wings or the tail of the shuttle would severely damage the protective tiles that are all over it, and there is no safe way of reattaching pieces to the shuttle if they were disassembled. Although it would be much easier to break the shuttle apart for transportation because it is 78 feet wide (from one wing tip to the other) and 58 feet tall, we would not want to lose any part of this special space shuttle!

As mentioned in the last post about the Endeavour, this shuttle is making history because it will be the “first, land and only time a space shuttle will travel through urban, public city streets” (California Science Center). The Endeavour will begin preparations for its 12-mile-long trek through Los Angeles on Friday, October 12, and then begin its journey on the morning of Saturday, October 13 to end up at the California Science Center that same evening.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour’s journey is almost at an end. The move is happening this Saturday, so tell us what you think about the Endeavour, or even about something you love about space. After all, Math Blaster is a game that trains you not only in your math skills, but also equips you to join the Intergalactic Space Patrol to help defend the galaxy!

Filed under: Current Events, Just for Fun, Science Facts, Technology and Kids, Uncategorized, What's New | Tagged: California Science Center, Endeavour, Los Angeles, NASA, space, Space Shuttle | 1 Comment »

Endeavour Space Shuttle Landing

Posted on September 24, 2012 by JumpStart

Who would have thought that they would ever be able to see a NASA space shuttle in real life? Thousands of people got this rare chance as the Endeavour Space Shuttle flew through the skies on a cross-country tour to its new home in Southern California.

Our friend, Frankie, from the JumpStart World was able to see Endeavor when he was in Long Beach, Ca this past Friday.

Endeavour had a 19-year-long career which spanned from May 1992 to May 2011. This space shuttle’s name was derived from a national competition that involved elementary and secondary students who selected names based on an exploratory or research sea vessel.

Do you want to know a fun fact about the Endeavour? Its name is spelled with the British spelling of the word “endeavor.” The American shuttle was named after a British exploration ship called the Endeavour; this ship made major discoveries around the world, and was very influential in expanding the knowledge about the world around us. Just like this British ship, the Endeavour space shuttle made monumental discoveries and accomplished numerous, extraordinary missions.

NASA had three shuttles to offer as a donation to museums after it shut down its shuttle program and decommissioned its shuttles. Out of over 20 different organizations who gave proposals to NASA to have a shuttle exhibit, the CaliforniaScienceCenter in Los Angeles was chosen to be the future and permanent home of the Endeavour.

On September 21, 2012, the Endeavour finally landed at the Los AngelesInternationalAirport after doing a tour of the state of California. The shuttle, flying atop NASA’s Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, began its cross-country journey at the KennedySpaceCenter in Orlando, Florida and made its way to California. Once in California, the Endeavour made a tour of California and flew over the heads of people from the Bay Area to right near the famous Hollywood Sign.

The last stretch of the Endeavour’s journey will end on October 13, 2012, when it will make a 12-mile journey through the streets of Los Angeles to become a part of the CaliforniaScienceCenter. According to the CaliforniaScienceCenter, the amazing thing about this shuttle and its trek through Los Angeles is that it will be the “first, last and only time a space shuttle will travel through urban, public city streets.”

Be on the lookout for more information on this space shuttle’s incredible journey, and let us know about what interests you the most about space!

Did you ever have dreams of being an astronaut one day? Have you ever wanted to be a scientist who studies space or creates cool things like space shuttles and space rovers like the Curiosity? Let us know by commenting below!

Filed under: Current Events, Just for Fun, Science Facts, Technology and Kids, Uncategorized | Tagged: California Science Center, Endeavour, Los Angeles, NASA, Space Shuttle | 2 Comments »

« Previous Page — Next Page »

The Math Blaster Blog

Categories

Join Our Fan Club!

Popular Tags

Archives

Landsat 5 Satellite Sets World Record

One More Trip For The Endeavour

Endeavour Space Shuttle Landing

Link to Us!

Follow “The Math Blaster Blog”