Astronomy current events question: dendritic furrow formation on Mars

Astronomy 210L, fall 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!)

Thomas Deane, "Winters on Mars Are Shaping the Red Planet's Landscape" (October 27, 2017)
tcd.ie/news_events/articles/winters-on-mars-are-shaping-the-red-planet-s-landscape/8305

Researchers proposed that carbon dioxide rapidly changing from solid to vapor causes various sand dune features on Mars, based on:
(A) laboratory experiments.
(B) reflected infrared light.
(C) analysis of released gases.
(D) similar features in the Mojave desert.
(E) computer simulations.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186
(A) : 23 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 7 students
(E) : 5 students