Astronomy current events question: Venus Express' ultimate experiment

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!)

Ingo Müller-Wodarg, Sean Bruinsma, Jean-Charles Marty, and Håkan Svedhem, "Venus Express' Swansong Experiment Sheds Light on Venus' Polar Atmosphere" (April 19, 2016)
sci.esa.int/venus-express/57735-venus-express-swansong-experiment-sheds-light-on-venus-polar-atmosphere/

The European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft collected data on Venus' atmospheric density and temperature by measuring:
(A) absorption spectra.
(B) bouncing radar signals.
(C) launching remote probes.
(D) aerobraking drag forces.
(E) reflected sunlight.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 6 students
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 8 students
(E) : 1 student