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