Astronomy current events question: Planck telescope end-of-mission

Astronomy 210L, fall 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!)

Shaunacy Ferro, "Farewell: Planck Space Telescope Shuts Down," October 23, 2013
http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/farewell-planck-space-telescope-shuts-down

Due to __________, the European Space Agency permanently shut down the Planck Space Telescope.
(A) research budget cuts.
(B) running out of helium coolant.
(C) software glitches.
(D) solar flares.
(E) colliding with stray satellite debris.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 7 students
(B) : 37 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 4 students