20110325

Astronomy current events question: Titan methane rains

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)
Jia-Rui C. Cook, Joe Mason, Michael Buckley, "Cassini Sees Seasonal Rains Transform Titan's Surface," March 17, 2011
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/whycassini/cassini20110317.html
NASA's Cassini spacecraft observed __________ on Saturn's moon, Titan, which may be evidence of seasonal methane rains.
(A) darkening of certain areas.
(B) shifting methane icebergs.
(C) the Cassini-Huygens lander floating.
(D) widespread lichen-like growths.
(E) rapid erosion of rock formations.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 18 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 3 students

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