20160401

Astronomy current events question: Pluto's "pull apart" tectonic faults

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2016
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!)
News release, "Pluto's 'Hulk-like' Moon Charon: A Possible Ancient Ocean?" (February 18, 2016)
jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA20467
Images from NASA's New Horizon spacecraft of "pull apart" tectonic faults on Pluto's largest moon, Charon, suggest that it:
(A) will break apart into fragments.
(B) is geologically active.
(C) has a frozen subsurface ocean.
(D) it is about to collapse in on itself.
(E) was captured by Pluto.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 19 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 0 students

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