Astronomy current events question: Gliese 581g non-existent?

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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!)

Rachel Courtland, "First Life-Friendly Exoplanet May Not Exist," October 13, 2010
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19586-first-lifefriendly-exoplanet-may-not-exist.html

The evidence for the recent discovery of "potentially habitable" planet Gleise 581g has been called into question by another research group because of:
(A) analysis of slightly different data sets.
(B) accusations of academic misconduct.
(C) glitches in computer programs used.
(D) the extremely short lifetime of the star Gliese 581.
(E) periodic solar flares from the star Gliese 581.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 48 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 5 students

Astronomy current events question: Dawn spacecraft and Hubble Space Telescope

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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, "Mission to Asteroid Gets Help from Hubble Space Telescope," October 11, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=10304

The NASA Dawn spacecraft needs the Hubble Space Telescope to observe the asteroid Vesta in order to:
(A) avoid colliding with it while passing through the asteroid belt.
(B) fly by when sunlight can illuminate certain features on it.
(C) plan a landing somewhere on its equator.
(D) warn of possible volcanic eruptions on its surface.
(E) update its position, as the Dawn spacecraft is "flying blind."

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 24 students
(C) : 7 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 14 students

Astronomy current events question: "The Year of the Solar System"

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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!)

Dr. Tony Phillips, "The Year of the Solar System," October 7, 2010
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/07oct_yss/

NASA has announced that October 2010 through August 2012 will be "The Year of the Solar System," when:
(A) the sun lines up with the center of the Milky Way.
(B) planets are nearly aligned in a straight line.
(C) planets have the same configuration as during Galileo's time.
(D) a large number of spacecraft arrive at their destinations.
(E) a different planet is visible almost each and every night.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 48 students
(E) : 4 students

Astronomy current events question: retrograde planet in binary star system

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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!)

Alisdair Wilkins, "Retrograde Planets Could Survive Around Binary Stars," October 5, 2010
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/10/retrograde-binary-system/

University of Texas-Arlington researchers have proposed that a planet orbits a primary star in the opposite direction of its binary star companion, based on observations of the stars':
(A) reflected light.
(B) gravitational wobbles.
(C) eclipses.
(D) parallax.
(E) surrounding dusty disk gaps.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 26 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 1 student

Astronomy current events question: Gliese 581g

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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!)

Alan MacRobert, "'Potentially Habitable' Planet Found," September 29, 2010
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/104031014.html

The "potentially habitable" planet Gliese 581g orbiting a red dwarf star was discovered by observing the star's:
(A) reflected light.
(B) gravitational wobbles.
(C) eclipses.
(D) parallax.
(E) surrounding dusty disk gaps.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 19 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 2 students

Astronomy current events question: Pan-STARRS telescope

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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, "Pan-STARRS Discovers Its First Potentially Hazardous Asteroid," September 28, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=10273

The Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) PS1 telescope is designed to detect:
(A) supernova neutrino emissions.
(B) asteroids that may impact Earth.
(C) solar flare disruptions.
(D) rapidly moving comets.
(E) space junk in low Earth orbit.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 55 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 0 students

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

Astronomy 210, Fall 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.

Oh Boy Angie Fights Greatly Killing Monsters
--I. A.

Our Baby's A Greak! God Kill Me!
--C. B.


Odysseus Begged Athena For Guidance in Killing Many Lusty Trojans
--B. B.

Oh Boy, Another Fat Gator Kills Man Right Near Sand Creek
--T. B.

Once Bound, Assisted Free, Gallant Knight, My Rescuer, Now Swooning Comes
--K. C.

Only Bad Asses Fight Giant Killer Monsters
--S. C.

On Bears Angry Fear Goes Kilometers or Miles
--C. C.

Oh Boy Ask For Good Karma this Morning
--K. C.

Our Brilliant Astronomers Failed Gauging Kelvin, Man
--R. C.

Oozing Boots Are Freakin' Great for Kicking Monkeys
--M. G.

Odin's Breakfast Always Features German Kick-@$$ Muffins
--J. G.

Obama Beat A Fierce Giant Killer Midget
--S. H.

Obey Behemoth Ants For Great Killing Madness
--D. J.

Our Brother Aragorn Found Goblins Killing Men
--A. L.

Orion Begged And Fled Gorilla Killing Monkeys
--P. M.

Only Bad Apricots Ferment, Giving Kind Mellowness
--L. M.

Only Batman Avenges For Good, Killing Many Newborn Seals
--K. M.

Oblivious Boisterous Apes Forever Gone Krazy Mad
--T. P.

Ostriches Battle A Fierce Gorilla KarateMaster
--H. P.

Our Baseball-Appropriate Fans Get Killer Monkeys--So Rally, Not Clap
--A. R.

Odd Black Ants Fight Giants Kicking Men
--R. R.

Odd Beavers Acting Fancy Get Kicked Madly
--B. R.

Oh Beauty, Always Fading, Growing Keenly Morose
--K. R.

Oh Bobby Ate Flying Gorillas' Killer Mangoes
--B. S.

Oh Boy, All Flower Girls Kiss Monsters!
--K. S.

Odd Brazilian Attacks Fatal Giant Killing Machine
--D. S.

One Brutal Astronomer Fought Gnarly Karate Masters
--D. S.

On Board A Friggin' Giant Kayak, Man
--T. S.

Obnoxious Baboons Ate Fred's Giant Koala Meat
--C. S.

Ostrich Babies Always Feel Good Kissing Monkeys
--J. V.

Oh Bother, Another Fox Gone Kinda Maniac
--S. W.

On Big African Field, Gators Kill Monkeys
--J. W.


Orange Birds All Flying Go Killing Mammals
--M. W.

Only Beer And Fishing Give Killer Moods
--N. Z.


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• Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

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

Astronomy 210, Fall 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.

Ooo Baby A Fat Girl Kissed Me
--I. A.

Oh Bummer A Frog Got Killed Monday
--C. B.

Ooompa-Loompas Broke A Fat Guys Knees Murderously
--M. B.

Only Buy Another Foul Generic K-Mart Meat
Oppenheimer's Bomb Apparently Forged God's Killing Machine
--T. B.

Only Bright Astronomers Find Great Knowledge Meaningful
Only Bad Ass Friends Get Kinky Mistresses
--P. B.

Orange Baboons Always Flick Goobers Kindly My way
--J. C.


Orion's Belt Already Fell, Grab Khakis Man
--C. C.

Overly Bouncy Aliens Frequently Guarantee Kissable Martians
--B. D.

Oranges, Bananas and Figs Give Kyle Major Liquid Troubles
--A. F.

Oh Bummer, A Fat Guy Kicked Me
--J. F.

Oakland Breeds Awareness For Guns, Killing, Mugging; Love This town
--C. G.

Mickey Killed Goofy For A Body Organ
--J. H.


Officer Bob Almost Found George's Killer Machete
--M. H.

Our Belugas Are Friendly Giants, Keep in Mind
--L. H.

Oh, Boyfriends Always Forget Good Kissing Memories
--H. H.

Other Brothers Are From Graciously Kind Mothers Really Nursing Smelly Covers
--N. H.

Obviously Big Ants Feeding Generously Kills Mood
--E. H.

Oranges Believe Apples Feel Gorgeous Knowing Magic
--M. J.

Only Big American Farmers Go Killing Monsters
--N. K.


Oh Boy, Another Fun Game of Kicking Midget Lemurs Tomorrow
--M. L.

Obama Bears Arms For Greatly Killing Mutant Rhinos Near South Carolina
--K. M.

Only Bang's Astral Finish Grabs/Kicks Monstrous, Real Nail. So Cool!
--B. M.

Or Before Actually Failing Geometry go Kick your Maestro
--L. M.

Only Big And Furious Giants Kill Men
--J. R. P.

Our Brilliant Astronomers Find Giant Killer Mr. Len...Terrible
--J. K. P.


Oh Bears Are Freakin' Great Killer Musicians
--J. R.

Only Bad Asses Fight Giant Killing Monsters
--L. S.

Oh Boy, Adulthood Feels Great Knowing My Romantic Ninja Steals Crap
--J. S.

Oranges Bite Apples, Fight Grapes, Kick Mangos, Run, No Student Comments
--J. T.

Oddly Bananas Are From Green Killing Machines
--N. T.

Obese Babysitters Are Firmly Groping Kindly Midgets
--D. U.


Oh Boy! Are Freaks Going Kind, Madly Renting New Space Cars
--B. W.

Oh Be A Friend Grading Katherine's Midterm
--K. W.

Odd Bats And Flaming Guano Killed Me
--E. W.

Oh Boy, Another Funny Glee Keeps Me Loving Television
--B. Z.

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• Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

Astronomy current events question: Saturn's aurorae

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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 Captures New Views of Saturn's Aurora," September 24, 2010
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=10269

New detailed images of Saturn's __________ have been recently extracted from data taken by the NASA Cassini spacecraft Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer instrument.
(A) aurorae.
(B) rings.
(C) moons.
(D) lightning.
(E) polar ice caps.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 53 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 1 student

Astronomy current events question: Cassini flybys of Titan

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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!)

Jia-Rui C. Cook, "Cassini Gazes at Veiled Titan," September 23, 2010
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/whycassini/cassini20100923b.html

The NASA Cassini spacecraft will make a series of flybys of Saturn's moon Titan, in order to closely study Titan's:
(A) active volcanoes.
(B) ice crust movement.
(C) gravitational field.
(D) atmosphere.
(E) core convection.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 49 students
(E) : 0 students

Astronomy current events question: Phobos' origin

Astronomy 210L, Fall 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, "Phobos: A Chip Off of Mars?," September 21, 2010
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/103436939.html

Observations of Phobos' _________ by the European Space Agency Mars Express Orbiter may provide evidence that Mars' moon Phobos was debris blasted off of the surface of Mars.
(A) mineral composition.
(B) crater density.
(C) overall shape.
(D) lava formations.
(E) dry ice in shadowed craters.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 43 students
(B) : 15 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 0 students

Overheard: rainbows and unicorns

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

(Overheard during an introductory astronomy laboratory on spectrometers.)

Student: (Looking through a spectrometer at fluorescent light tube, which has a faint continuous spectrum along with bright emission lines.) "I'm not sure if this working!"

Instructor: "What do you see? Do you see the rainbow?"

Student: "Uh-huh."

Instructor: "What else do you see? Do you see the unicorns?"

Student: "The...what?!?"

Instructor: "Do you see a bunch of colored lines?"

(Beat.)

Student: "I see them."

Instructor: "Those colored lines are the horns of unicorns."