Astronomy current events question: Gravity Probe B

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2011
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!)

Trent J. Perrotto "ASA's Gravity Probe B Confirms Two Einstein Space-Time Theories," May 4, 2011
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/gpb/gpb_results.html

NASA's Gravity Probe B spacecraft confirmed general theory of relativity predictions by:
(A) monitoring bacterial aging in space relative to on Earth.
(B) comparing the timing of back-and-forth laser pulses.
(C) measuring minute temperature fluctuations in space.
(D) accelerating to near the speed of light.
(E) tracking changes in alignment with a reference star.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 30682
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 14 students