Astronomy current events question: atmosphere of super-Earth planet GJ 1132b

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2017
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!)

Press release, "Atmosphere Detected Around an Earth-like Planet" (April 28, 2017)
keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2017/atmospheredetectedaroundanearth-likeplanet.html

The atmosphere of super-Earth planet GJ 1132b was detected by measuring the amount of __________ as it passed in front of its star.
(A) light absorbed.
(B) gravitational fluctuation.
(C) Doppler shift.
(D) greenhouse effect.
(E) reflected light.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30679, 30680
(A) : 11 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 13 students