Astronomy current events question: brown dwarf weather patterns

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2014
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!)

Whitney Clavin, "Stormy Stars? NASA's Spitzer Probes Weather on Brown Dwarfs," January 7, 2014
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-005

NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope observed __________, which may be evidence of swirling storms on brown dwarfs.
(A) jet streams.
(B) lightning flashes.
(C) periodic brightness variations.
(D) a polar vortex.
(E) molten iron rain.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 13 students
(C) : 18 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 13 students