20140926

Astronomy current events question: Subaru Telescope adaptive optics system

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2014
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!)
John Bochanski, "Next-Gen Adaptive Optics," (September 9, 2014)
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/next-gen-adaptive-optics-09092014/
The Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea is testing a new adaptive optics system, where a computer rapidly changes the shape of the telescope mirror to correct for:
(A) Earth's rotation.
(B) local earthquakes.
(C) interstellar dust and gas.
(D) atmospheric turbulence.
(E) light pollution.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 32 students
(E) : 5 students

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