Lesson .
.Jupiter Jockey: A 'Pi in the Sky' Math Challenge
Jet Propulsion Laboratory https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ Last Updated: Oct. 11, 2024
Subject
Math
Grade Levels
6-9
Time Required
Under 30 mins
Overview
The "Pi in the Sky" math challenge gives students a chance to take part in recent discoveries and upcoming celestial events, all while using math and pi just like NASA scientists and engineers. In this problem from the set, students use the mathematical constant pi to find out how far the Juno spacecraft travels in its highly eccentric orbit about Jupiter.
Materials
- Pi in the Sky: Juno Jockey worksheet – download PDF
- Pi in the Sky answer key (third problem) – download PDF
Procedures
- NASA's Juno spacecraft orbits Jupiter in a highly eccentric orbit, allowing very close passes of the spacecraft to the planet. In one orbit, Juno gets as close as 75,800 kilometers (perijove) to Jupiter and passes as far as 2,771,000 kilometers (apojove) from Jupiter. How many kilometers does Juno travel in one orbit?
Assessment
Extensions
Pi Day Challenges
- Pi in the Sky
- Pi in the Sky 2
- Pi in the Sky 3
- Pi in the Sky 4
- Pi in the Sky Challenge (slideshow for students)
Multimedia
Features
Websites