Astronomy current events question: asteroid 21 Lutetia

Astronomy 210L, fall 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!)

Charles Q. Choi, "Asteroid Lutetia May Have Core of Hot Melted Metal," October 27, 2011
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45065506/ns/technology_and_science-space#.TsdVq4BW4lZ

The __________ of asteroid 21 Lutetia measured by the European Space Agency Rosetta spacecraft may be evidence that the asteroid has a molten metal core.
(A) reflectivity.
(B) crater density.
(C) infrared emissions.
(D) density.
(E) roundness.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 6 students
(C) : 13 students
(D) : 37 students
(E) : 0 students