Astronomy current events question: Venus spin rate

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2012
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!)

ESA press release, "Could Venus Be Shifting Gear?," February 10, 2012
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM0TLSXXXG_index_0.html

Venus may spin slower than previously measured, according to __________ recorded by the European Space Agency Venus Express spacecraft.
(A) infrared images of surface feature positions.
(B) GPS discrepancies with Earth's position.
(C) gravity wave oscillations.
(D) underground magma currents.
(E) magnetic pole strengths.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 23 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 6 students