Astronomy current events question: Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2018
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, "Earth's Atmosphere: New Results from the International Space Station" (March 20, 2018)
esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Research/Earth_s_atmosphere_new_results_from_the_International_Space_Station

The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) instrument on the International Space Station gathers data on the components of Earth's upper atmosphere by:
(A) releasing probes.
(B) scooping up molecules.
(C) observing the sun and the moon.
(D) firing lasers.
(E) listening for static.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 30679, 30680
(A) : 6 students
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 17 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 5 students