20131208

Astronomy current events question: Kepler Space Telescope K2 plan

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!)
Adam Becker, "Sunny Fix Would Let Defunct Kepler Hunt Planets Again," November 7, 2013
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24548-sunny-fix-would-let-defunct-kepler-hunt-planets-again.html
NASA engineers have proposed aligning the Kepler Space Telescope to minimize __________, to continue its search for planets around other stars.
(A) turning forces exerted on it by sunlight.
(B) radiation exposure from solar flares.
(C) passing through the Earth's northern and southern lights.
(D) heat losses from its plutonium fuel rods.
(E) impacts from man-made satellite debris.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 33 student
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 7 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 3 students

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