Astronomy current events question: disappearing sunspots

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Tony Phillips, "Are Sunspots Disappearing?" September 3, 2009
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/03sep_sunspots.htm?list212050

What have researchers at the National Solar Observatory theorized about the cause of Sun's disappearing sunspots? Circle your answer below.
(A) Weakening magnetic fields.
(B) Decreasing fusion in the core.
(C) Earth's magnetic poles are about to flip.
(D) Main sequence lifetime ending.
(E) An impending giant solar flare.

Correct answer: (A).

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70200
(A) : 15 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 2 students