Astronomy current events question: Gemini Planet Imager

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2013
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!)

Rina Shaikh-Lesko, "Extreme Exoplanet-Hunting Telescope to Go Online This Fall," February 23, 2013
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/02/extreme-exoplanet-hunter/

The Gemini Planet Imager will see planets around other stars using adaptive optics, where a computer rapidly changes the shape of the telescope mirror to correct for:
(A) the brightness of the star.
(B) gravitational lensing.
(C) interstellar dust and gas.
(D) turbulence in Earth's atmosphere.
(E) light pollution.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 8 students
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 32 students
(E) : 7 students