20111202

Astronomy current events question: Europa's 'Great Lake?'

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!)
UTC-Austin news release, "Scientists Find Evidence for 'Great Lake' on Europa and Potential New Habitat for Life," November 16, 2011
http://www.jsg.utexas.edu/news/2011/11/scientists-find-evidence-for-great-lake-on-europa/
Based on __________, University of Texas at Austin scientists have proposed a model predicting lakes within the icy shell of Jupiter's moon, Europa.
(A) deep-penetration radar surveys.
(B) reflected light patterns.
(C) photosynthesis chemical byproducts.
(D) drilling down into the ice sheet in Antarctica.
(E) comparing images with similar features on Earth.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 8 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 6 students

1 comment:

  1. Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2012
    Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

    (Introduction sample current events quiz handed out on the first day of instruction, so students will not have had studied for this.)

    Student responses
    Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
    (A) : 23 students
    (B) : 20 students
    (C) : 2 students
    (D) : 4 students
    (E) : 17 students

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