Astronomy current events question: Phobos composition

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Phobos Flyby Success," March 5, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9644

What have European Space Agency researchers deduced about Mars' moon, Phobos, from the recent encounter by the Mars Express spacecraft?
(A) Not dense enough to be completely solid.
(B) An escaped moon from Jupiter.
(C) Primarily composed of dirty ices.
(D) Rich in highly radioactive elements.
(E) Interior still retains a significant amount of heat.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 44 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 5 students
(E) : 4 students

Astronomy current events question: solar wind versus Mars' atmosphere

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Solar Wind Pulses Help Blow Away Martian Atmosphere," March 11, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9661

According to European researchers, what evidence is there that solar wind pulses are a significant cause of Mars' atmosphere loss?
(A) Analyzing air pockets trapped in early and recent lava rocks.
(B) Absence of rings around Mars.
(C) Remote weather stations on Mars' surface.
(D) Tracking heavy ions leaving Mars' atmosphere.
(E) No global warming on Mars.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 43 students
(E) : 4 students

Astronomy current events question: Saturn opposition

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Michael E. Bakich, "Saturn to Make Its Best Appearance of the Year," March 15, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9666

Saturn is currently in opposition, which is the best time to observe it. Opposition is when Saturn:
(A) has its rings tilted most towards Earth.
(B) does not pass behind the moon.
(C) is brighter than light pollution.
(D) lies opposite the sun from our perspective on Earth.
(E) has the opposite season of Earth.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 44 students
(E) : 1 student

Astronomy current events question: zodiacal light

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Kelly Beatty, "Zodiacal Light's Mystery Solved," March 11, 2010
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/87336457.html

Researchers from the Southwest Research Institute have successfully modeled the origin of the zodiacal light as dust from short-period comets. What is the zodiacal light?
(A) A faint cone of light during twilight stretching across the ecliptic.
(B) The original lines connecting the stars in the zodiac constellations.
(C) Material left over after the large impact that created Earth's moon.
(D) Light reflected from the Milky Way, no longer visible due to light pollution.
(E) Dust trailing the moon from comet bombardments.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 45 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 5 students

Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam (SLO)

Astronomy 210, Spring Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
(San Luis Obispo Campus)

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 14: OBAFGKM Poetry Slam

Students were instructed to use at least OBAFGKM, and/or part or all of the additional OBAFGKMRNSC or OBAFGKMLT extensions to individually write an original, coherent and an appropriate (nothing worse than "PG-13" rated!) mnemonic, and to give a rousing reading of their OBAFGKM mnemonic poem for the class.

Oscar Bails Apples from Gorillas Kicking Monkeys
--B. A.

Obama Brings Animated Fun Grommit Kook Mam
--J. A.

Olga Bakes Alfred Flaming Gecko Knees Manly
--K. A.

Orlando Bloom: Another Famous Guy Keeping Mullets Looking Trendy...
--N. B.

Out Beat A Fun Games of Kings Mug
--N. B.

Owlbears Beat A Freakin' Goblin Killing Min-max'd Rogue Ninja Scout Cut-purse
--E. B.

Obama Banishes Aliens For Good Karma, Man
--J. B.

Oh Baby, A Fat Giraffe Killed Me!
--E. B.

Oh Boy A Fierce Godzilla Killed Me
--M. C.

Oh Boy, Another Facking Gandalf Killed Me
--A. C.

Off Beat Adventure Freaks Get Killer Mullets
--C. C.

Oven Baked Apricots Feed Great Knowledgeable Manly-men
--L. D.

Only Bugs Avoid Fighting Giant Kittens (Mice Too!)
--M. D.

Only Big And Freaky Girls Kiss Me Like That
--D. D.

Our Big TV Allows Fat Grampa Kyle More Lazy Time
--A. D.

Old Bart Ate Four Giant King Meals
--J. D.

Oh Brother, A Fat Guy Killed My Last Taco
--B. D.

Our Basement Always Floods, Given Kentucky's Many Rainstorms
--A. E.

Only Ben And Fernando Get Kix Mom
--K. E.

Oppenheimer Bohr Ampere Faraday Gauss Kepler Maxwell
--B. F.

Only Big And Fat Guys Kiss Me
--T. F.

Orange Bananas Are Fruit Getting Kind of Mutated
--G. F.

Only Big Anchovies Feel Great with Ketchup and Mayonnaise
--M. G.

Only Bad Ass Freaks Get Kitty Mane
--W. G.

Oh Be A Fantabulous Girl Kook Me Rice aNd Shrimp
--B. H.

Oh Brother Astronomy Frazzles Great Keen Minds Remembering Newton Springs Consternation
--J. H.

Oatmeal Bars Are Fantastically Good... Kinda MMMMmmm
--B. H.

Oprah Bought Acid For Guilty Killer MILFs
--D. H.

Obama Blazes All Fantastic Green Keef Multiple Rounds Never Sharing Chronic
--J. H.

Only Beasts And Ferocious Giants Kill Men
--S. H.

Oh Beware A Freaky Guy Killed Me
--C. J.

Occasionally, Beastly Apes Find Goats as Killer Mates :)
--K. J.

Old Bums Are Fairly Gentle Kind Men
--J. K.

Only Beer Attracts Females Giving Keg Money
--S. K.

Out Before Amanda Finals Grabig(?) and Kills Me
--E. L.

Orange Bananas Are For Giving Growling Killer Monkeys Running Naked Smoking Cannabis
--K. L.

Over Board Again Friend, Go "Kick-It" Man
--C. M.

Only Bees And Flies Go 'Kasplat' Making Really Nice Splatter Constellations!!!
--J. M.

Orange Baboons Angrily Fight Giant Kangaroos Mysteriously
--C. M.

Only Blind Automotive Fans Give Kias Magnficent Reviews, Not Serious Car-lovers
--D. M.

Oh Boy Astronomers Finals Give Killer Migraines
--M. M.

Oh Boy Another Four Games, Kill Me
--R. M.

Only Because Alice Frequently Grew Kingly Mustaches
--S. M.

OK, Basically A Fat Guppy Killed Me
--C. N.

Oozing Blood, Awkwardly Flowing, Gone, Killed Mirthlessly
--K. O.

On Base Astronomers Find Good Kuiper Measurements
--M. P.

Only Bad Astronomers Forget Generally Known Mnemonics
--J. P.

On Board A Flight Getting Kids Money
--M. P.

Our Big Ant Farm Gained Kilo Meter
--J. R.

One Big Ass Fire God Kona's Murdered
--A. R.

Oh Be Alert For Giant Killer Monkeys Lighting Torches
--R. R.

Obama and Biden Are Friendly Guys Killing Millionaires
--J. R.

Only Beer Awesomely Fills Giant Kegs Man
--T. R.

Orange Band-aids After Fighting a Green Killer Monster Look Tacky
--M. R.

Old Basketball Athletes Finance Great King's Money Like Trash
--J. S.

Olive Baskets At Family Gatherings Kause Measles
--G. S.

Oh Brother, Another Freaking Gorilla Knocked Me Right Next to the Scorpius Constellation
--A. S.

Only Brawlers And Fighters Get Kicked Maliciously
--D. S.

Old Beers Are For Ghost King Mustafa
--T. S.

Orangutans Bark At Fat Girls who Kill Monkeys
--J. S.

Oh Barack, Always Flapping Gums and Kissing Monkeys' Little Tails
--A. S.

On Beaches A Flattering Girl Knows Me
--K. T.

Obama Barely Arouses Females Goodies with Kinky Methods
--P. T.

Oprah Battled A Ferocious Gladiator Kicking Massive Rocks Near Salonius' Coconuts
--A. V.

Only Boys Allowed, For Girl Kisses Mean Receiving Nasty Sick Cooties
--G. G.

Overly Baked Apple Fragments Give Kamakazi Messages
--J. W. (1)

Obese Bats Are Fat, Goofy, Klutzy Mammals
--J. W. (2)

Obama Barack And Friends Gave Kickback Money
--J. Z.

Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam (NCC)

Astronomy 210, Spring Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
(North County Campus)

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 14: OBAFGKM Poetry Slam

Students were instructed to use at least OBAFGKM, and/or part or all of the additional OBAFGKMRNSC or OBAFGKMLT extensions to individually write an original, coherent and an appropriate (nothing worse than "PG-13" rated!) mnemonic, and to give a rousing reading of their OBAFGKM mnemonic poem for the class.

Original BAWS A Fighting Genghis Khan Manifesting
--P. A.

Obnoxiously Bad Auditions For Global Karaoke Meeting
--R. A.

Old Baboons Are Funky Gross, Kinda Mean
--E. B.

Oh Boy A Fat Gator Killed Men
--K. B.

Ozzy Became A Fire Gun Killer Man
--P. B.

Obsessive Ball-Munching Archaic Feminist Girls Kill Men (Like the Terminator)
--A. B.

One Big Asteroid Fought Giant Killer Meteor Right Near Sun's Corona
--E. B.

Octopi Bully Animals From Great Kelp Mounds
--N. C.

Oysters Bearing A Fine Gem Kill Monkeys
--I. C.

Oh Baby A Fiesty Gorilla Kissed Me Like This
--A. C.

Only Boys Accepting Feminism Get Kissed Meaningfully
--B. D.

Overall, Boys Are Foolish, Girls Keep Movin'!
--J. E.

Oh Boy A Fat Giant Kicked Me
--J. G.

Ollie Busted Alex for Ganging on Kind Molly
--P. G.

"OBAFGKMLT"
(N.B.: Like that thing from "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs.")
--K. H.

Old Baseball-Players Are Forgetful Gubbers Killing Munchies
--B. H.

Old Bananas Are Freaking Good Killing Machines
--D. J.

One Boy Ate Fish (and) Got Killer Malaria
--W. L.

Oreos are Best After Finding a Glass of Kitchen Milk
--A. M.

Only Babes And Fancy Girls Kiss Men Like Tiger [Woods]
--J. M.

Officially Bored As Fudge Generating Killer Mnemonics
--T. M.

Oh Beer And Friends Greatly Kick My Little Toosh!
--R. M.

Official BAWS: A Figurative God, Keen-sighted Men
--R. M.

Our Baby, A Fine Girl, Kissed Me Lovingly Today
--B. M.

Oh Brother! Another "F" Grade?!? Killin' Me!!!
--B. N.

Oh Brother A Flamingo Got Kicked Miraculously
--J. P.

Orange Bananas Are Fruity Good Kid Meals
--B. R.

Oh Baby! A Freakin' Gorilla Kicked Me!
--L. R.

One Black Audi Full of Gas Kills Mercedes
--J. R.

Oh Bother A Ferocious Gnome Kicked My Little Toe
--M. S.

OBAma ForGot Kaucasian Males
--N. S.

Outrageously Bootilicious Asses Find Getting "Klothes" Monotonous
--T. S.

Old Butter Attracts Flies. Good Kitchen Masters Really Need Sinks Clean
--J. V.

Only Bad Annoying Friends Give Kooks Massive Raunchy No-good Sloppy Closeouts
--M. V.

"Our Brother, Aristotle, Fends Geocentric Knowledge Most...Ringing Nerves!" States Copernicus.
--K. W.

Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

Astronomy midterm question: wider or longer telescope?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

[20 points.] Decide whether the diameter, or the length of an optical telescope would be more important in making a decision on a new purchase (or if they would be equally important). Explain why in terms of the properties of telescopes and telescope powers.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p = 20/20:
  Correct. Discusses how diameter of primary lens/mirror determines the light-gathering power and resolving power, while the (focal) length determines the magnifying power, the latter of which is the least important due to priority given to collecting light that will result in bright, resolvable images worth magnifying.
  
• r = 16/20:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Explains how light-gathering power and resolving power depend on diameter and discusses their priority, but does not adequately explain magnification and/or why it would be less important. Or correctly discusses how diameter and length affect respective telescope powers, but gives equal priority to magnification with light-gathering power and resolving power.
  
• t = 12/20:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors.
  
• v = 8/20:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. May confound length and diameter dependence of telescope powers, but generally holds magnification less important than light-gathering and resolving powers.
  
• x = 4/20:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Primarily makes a decision without substantive discussion of relevant telescope powers.
  
• y = 2/20:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  
• z = 0/20:
  Blank.
  

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
p: 19 students
r: 11 students
t: 0 students
v: 11 students
x: 3 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 30676
p: 33 students
r: 11 students
t: 14 students
v: 16 students
x: 7 students
y: 0 students
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 0928):

Another sample "p" response (from student 1187):

Another sample "p" response (from student 4733), averring that "wider is better":

Another sample "p" response (from student 1802):

Another sample "p" response (from student ):

Another sample "p" response (from student 0002), with interesting priorities and qualifiers:


Another sample "p" response (from student 0165), illustrating the lament and remorse of an uninformed telescope buyer in comic strip format:

A sample "r" response (from student 6924):

Astronomy midterm question: simultaneous total lunar and total solar eclipses?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, Spring Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

[20 points.] Consider the following excerpt regarding viewing total lunar and solar eclipses:

On July 6, 1982, a woman telephoned a radio show that had invited people to give their impressions of the total lunar eclipse then in progress. She said: 'We're seeing this total eclipse of the moon right now on our side of the world. Does that mean that at this same moment the people on the other side of the world are seeing a total eclipse of the sun?'"
—Guy Ottewell, Astronomical Calendar 2010, Universal Workshop, Raynham, MA, 2009, p. 43.

Decide whether seeing a total eclipse of the sun "at this same moment" is plausible or implausible. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, moon, and Earth.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p = 20/20:
  Correct. Draws a correct diagram of a total lunar eclipse, where the moon is on the other side of Earth than the sun; and since the moon must be on the same side of Earth as the sun for there to be a total solar eclipse, it is implausible that observers anywhere on Earth can observe a total solar eclipse simultaneously with a total lunar eclipse. May also illustrate and argue the converse argument, when a total solar eclipse is occuring a total lunar eclipse cannot be simultaneously observed.
  
• r = 16/20:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Diagram is problematic (misalignment of sun-Earth-moon line), but essential argument that the moon cannot be at two different locations on either side of Earth correct.
  
• t = 12/20:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Diagram missing, but essential argument correct, or vice versa.
  
• v = 8/20:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Argument based on timing of time zones, size of moon's umbral spot, or improbable sun-Earth-moon diagrams.
  
• x = 4/20:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
  
• y = 2/20:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  
• z = 0/20:
  Blank.
  

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
p: 36 students
r: 1 student
t: 1 student
v: 6 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 30676
p: 62 students
r: 6 students
t: 23 students
v: 13 students
x: 13 students
y: 1 student
z: 3 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1802):

Another sample "p" response (from student 7129), lamenting the fact that Earth does not have two moons:

Another sample "p" response (from student 2425):

A sample "v" response (from student 9696), with two Earths?

Astronomy midterm question: Ptolemy's "windings to and fro"

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, Spring Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

[20 points.] Consider the following excerpt from the writings of Ptolemy:

"Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I trace at my pleasure the windings to and fro of the heavenly bodies I no longer touch the earth with my feet."
—Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, 150 A.D.

Explain how Ptolemy's model of planetary motion explained the "windings to and fro" of a planet. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, Earth, and a planet.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p = 20/20:
  Correct. Shows Ptolemy's geocentric model, with Earth at (or near) center, and planet's motion along epicycles on deferents reproduce prograde and retrograde motion.
  
• r = 16/20:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Has the sun at center of epicycles and deferents instead of Earth.
  
• t = 12/20:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Shows "spirograph" prograde and retrograde motion of a planet (around either Earth or the sun), but does not show how this is due to epicycles and deferents. Or discusses how a heliocentric model explains retrograde/prograde motion as a "lapping" illusion (which is not Ptolemy's model!), but explanation is sound despite being non-relevant to Ptolemy's comment.
  
• v = 8/20:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least shows Ptolemy's geocentric model but with no indication of prograde/retrograde motion nor epicycles/deferents.
  
• x = 4/20:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
  
• y = 2/20:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  
• z = 0/20:
  Blank.
  

Grading distribution:
Section 30676
p: 23 students
r: 6 students
t: 23 students
v: 13 students
x: 13 students
y: 1 student
z: 3 students

A sample "p" response (from student 9033):

A sample "r" response (from student 6433), with the sun at the center of motion:

A sample "t" response (from student 2424):

A sample "v" response (from student 9107), at least showing Earth at the center of motion:

A sample "x" response (from student 6000), alluding to the Sphinx's riddle answered by Oedipus?

Student scribble: space babes?

20100311498
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waiferx/4426379984/
Originally uploaded by Waifer X

Student scribble, Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, Spring 2010, section 30676. Photo by Cuesta College Physical Sciences Division instructor Dr. Patrick M. Len.

Astronomy current events question: New Horizons halfway milestone

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Kelly Beatty, "Halfway to Pluto," February 28, 2010
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/85787567.html

The NASA New Horizons spacecraft is halfway to what destination in 2015?
(A) The edge of the Milky Way spiral arm.
(B) Saturn's moon, Enceladus.
(C) Dwarf planet Pluto.
(D) Comet Halley 1/P.
(E) The sun's event horizon.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 54 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 2 students

Astronomy current events question: latest lunar ice evidence

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

NASA news release, "NASA Radar Finds Ice Deposits at Moon's North Pole," March 2, 2010
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/Mini-RF/multimedia/feature_ice_like_deposits.html

What is the latest evidence for water ice at the north pole of the moon?
(A) Comparison of radar reflections from shadowed craters.
(B) Traces of organic materials collected by rovers.
(C) Dusty snow blowing into small craters.
(D) Temperatures hovering around the freezing point of water.
(E) Accumulated ice in craters, compared to Apollo mission images.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 16 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 13 students

Astronomy current events question: "spring forward..."

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

National Institute of Standards & Technology, "When Does Daylight Saving Time/Standard Time Begin?," March 2, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/85787567.htmll

At 2:00 AM on Sunday morning, March 14, clocks should be set __________ by one hour such that an hour is __________.
(A) forward; "lost."
(B) back; "gained."
(C) (There will be no daylight saving time for 2010.)
(D) (Daylight saving time already continues from last year.)

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 50 students
(B) : 13 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 0 students

Astronomy midterm question: correcting the National Geographic Society

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, spring semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Consider the following excerpt regarding Copernicus' heliocentric model of planetary motion:

"Copernicus had begun the job of dethroning Ptolemy, but he hadn't quite finished the work. And this is what brings us back to Mars. For all the strengths of the Copernican system, it failed to explain the motion of Mars, including its occasional, peculiar backwards march across the constellations of the zodiac."
--Paul Raeburn, Uncovering the Secrets of the Red Planet: Mars, National Geographic Society (1998), p. 30.

Discuss why this statement is wrong. Support your answer using a diagram showing how Copernicus' model does explain the "occasional, peculiar backwards" motion of Mars.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Draws a diagram with the sun at the center (Copernicus' heliocentric model of planetary motion), showing how Earth (moving faster in an inner orbit) "lapping" Mars (moving slower in an outer orbit) explains the retrograde motion of Mars.
  
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Understands how the "lapping" illusion explains retrograde motion, but does not explicitly draw a diagram, or explanation/diagram has minor errors/omissions, e.g. Mars in an orbit inside of Earth's.
  
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Has sun at center, but Mars has epicycles along a deferent to explain prograde/retrograde motion, even with discussion of "lapping."
  
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Explains retrograde motion using epicycles on deferents, whether the sun or Earth is at the center of Mars' motion.
  
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Describes retrograde motion, but problematic explanation even with Ptolemy's geocentric model.
  
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  
• z:
  Blank.
  

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
p: 18 students
r: 3 students
t: 5 students
v: 9 students
x: 8 students
y: 1 student
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1802):
Another sample "p" response (from student 2360):
A sample "r" response (from student 5280), with Mars in an inner orbit:

A sample "t" response (from student 2425), with "lapping" discussed along with epicycles and deferents in a heliocentric model:
A sample "v" response (from student 4742), with epicycles and deferents being the sole cause of pro- and retrograde motion in a geocentric model:
A sample "x" response (from student 1187), appealing to parallax?

Astronomy current events question: Stardust trajectory

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Stardust Burns for Comet, Less Than a Year Away," February 24, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9446

The NASA Stardust spacecraft sucessfully __________ in order to be able to image certain regions of the comet Tempel 1 in 2011.
(A) adjusted its trajectory.
(B) switched memory from an infrared detector to a high-resolution camera.
(C) rebooted its data recording software.
(D) reoriented its antenna away from a more active sun.
(E) refueled its spare batteries using solar wind sails.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 22 students
(B) : 6 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 1 student

Astronomy current events question: recent Enceladus images

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Cassini Finds Plethora of Plumes, Hotspots at Enceladus," February 24, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9453

Newly released images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft of Enceladus, Saturn's moon, reveal:
(A) regions that have impact craters recently smoothed over by ice flows.
(B) 3D images of fissures spraying icy particles, water vapor, and organic compounds.
(C) the current location of the Huygens lander, floating in a lake of liquid hydrocarbons.
(D) lightning strikes deep within transparent icy layers.
(E) a new impact crater, most likely from a stray comet.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 21 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 1 student

Astronomy current events question: Solar Stormwatch project

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Public Invited to Spot and Track Solar Storms," February 23, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9451

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, UK and other organizations are sponsoring the Solar Stormwatch project, where:
(A) cell phones record disruptions caused by solar storms.
(B) alerts are given when solar activity reaches dangerous levels.
(C) volunteers track solar activity on raw spacecraft images.
(D) affordable solarscopes are available to amateur solar observers and schools.
(E) the effects of climate change are recorded by applications running on cell phones.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 45 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 3 students

Astronomy current events question: Martian rock layers

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2010
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!)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory news release, "Layers Piled in a Mars Crater Record a History of Changes," February 11, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9417

Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory have proposed a chronological history of water on Mars, based on evidence:
(A) from visual sketches of Mars seen through the first telescopes.
(B) deduced from the similar geological history of the Tibetan mountain steppes on Earth.
(C) analyzed from air bubbles released from melting polar ice samples.
(D) excavated and analyzed by Mars rovers.
(E) of hundreds of exposed rock layers in a crater observed from orbiting Mars.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 26 students