20090923

Astronomy current events question: refurbished Hubble Space Telescope

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!)
Space Telescope Science Institute press release, "Hubble Opens New Eyes on the Universe," September 9, 2009
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/ero_images.html
What was done to the newly refurbished NASA Hubble Space Telescope in order to obtain new ultraviolet to near-infrared images? Circle your answer below.
(A) A new imaging camera was installed.
(B) Its primary mirror was cleaned.
(C) Nanotechnology filters replaced older laminated plastic filters.
(D) Its orbit was boosted farther out away from Earth.
(E) More liquid helium coolant was added to its reservoir tank.

Correct answer: (A).

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 51 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 3 students
(E) : 2 students

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