Astronomy current events question: Lunkhod 1 retroreflector

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, "Lunokhod 1 Retroreflector Found," April 27, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=9804

NASA has rediscovered the positions of the Russian Lunakhod 1 retroreflector on the surface of the moon. This retroreflector will be used to study:
(A) how slowly the moon is moving away from Earth.
(B) secrets of early Russian space technology.
(C) prolonged effects of solar wind on metal alloys.
(D) the very sparse atmosphere of the moon.
(E) the slow formation of ice on lunar surfaces.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 32 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 13 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 6 students