20130228

Astronomy quiz question: telescope funding

Astronomy 210 Quiz 3, spring semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Based on being able to detect its wavelength, and cost-effectiveness of location, which telescope should be funded?
(A) A near-infrared telescope on an aircraft (45,000' altitude).
(B) A gamma ray detector in Antarctica (8,000' elevation).
(C) A (TV) radio telescope in space (above 500,000' altitude).
(D) An ultraviolet detector in the Mojave desert (5,000' elevation).


Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (A)

Gamma rays, ultraviolet, and near-infrared cannot be detected at sea level (the bottom edge of the graph), due to absorption of these wavelengths by the atmosphere. Some gamma rays and ultraviolet may be detected at high elevations, but a near-infrared telescope on an aircraft would have a much greater altitude, and receive much more signal than high-elevation gamma rays and ultraviolet detectors. A radio telescope would work in space, but would work just as well on the ground for much less cost than a near-infrared telescope on an aircraft. So while the near-infrared telescope on an aircraft and a radio telescope in space would both be able to detect its wavelength, funding a radio telescope in space is not a very effective use of money, so out of these four choices, the near-infrared telescope on an aircraft is the best choice that should be funded.

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz03nPmP
(A) : 23 students
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 5 students
(No response: 1 student)

Success level: 79% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.67

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz03sPmP
(A) : 27 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 14 students
(D) : 2 students

Success level: 66% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.55

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