Astronomy current events question: first temperate exoplanet

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, "First Temperate Exoplanet Sized Up," March 17, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9675

Planet Corot-9b is considered the first exoplanet that resembles planets in our solar system. The French space agency CoRot satellite discovered this planet by __________ its host star.
(A) measuring temperature fluctuations of.
(B) detecting wobbles in the motion of.
(C) watching as it passes in front of.
(D) beaming radar signals that were reflected from around.
(E) observing the amount of light reflected by the planet from.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 8 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 24 students
(D) : 8 students
(E) : 6 students