Astronomy current events question: asteroid 2012 DA14

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!)

Phil Plait, "Cool Animation Showing Asteroid DA 14's Near Miss Next Year," March 8, 2012
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2012/03/08/cool-animation-showing-asteroid-da-14s-near-miss-next-year/

When asteroid 2012 DA14 makes it closest approach to Earth in February 2013, it will:
(A) cause higher than normal tides.
(B) disrupt GPS and cell phone communications.
(C) change its orbital path.
(D) skim across the moon's surface.
(E) develop a long, bright tail.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 10 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 38 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 3 students