Astronomy current events question: Europa subsurface ocean oxygen?

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Europa Ocean May Contain Enough
Oxygen to Support Life," October 9, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8706

According to a University of Arizona researcher, what is the proposed source for oxygen that may be found in the subsurface oceans of Jupiter's moon, Europa?
(A) Charged particles impacting its icy surface.
(B) Water- and oxygen-rich asteroids.
(C) Open vents in the ice.
(D) Exotic chemical processes on the warm ocean floor.
(E) Photosynthesis.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 16 students
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 13 students
(D) : 18 students
(E) : 2 students

Astronomy current events question: solar system edge discovery

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Clara Moskowitz, "Mystery Emissions Found at Solar System Edge," October 15, 2009
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33332042/ns/technology_and_science-space/

What did the NASA Interstellar Boundary Explorer probe recently find at the edge of the solar system?
(A) Rapidly deteriorating heliosphere.
(B) Large planetoid that will pass close by in late 2012.
(C) Ion trails left by the Pioneer 10/11 and Voyager 1/2 probes.
(D) Ribbon of energetic neutral particles.
(E) Diffuse shell of dark matter.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 43 students
(E) : 0 students

Astronomy current events question: James Webb Space Telescope

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "Test Model of James Webb Space Telescope Instrument Ready," October 14, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8714

What mission is the joint NASA/European Space Agency James Webb Space Telescope planned to replace?
(A) Cancelled Mars sample return mission.
(B) Repaired Hubble Space Telescope.
(C) Failed Indian Space Agency Chandrayaan moon probe.
(D) Recently crashed LCROSS probe.
(E) Spitzer Space Telescope, out of coolant.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 28 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 8 students
(E) : 14 students

Astronomy current events question: LCROSS mission outcome

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Alan MacRobert, "The LCROSS Impact, Continued," October 11, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/home/63766222.html

What was the somewhat unexpected result of the NASA LCROSS mission lunar impact?
(A) No collision was observed.
(B) The impact was smaller than expected.
(C) Evidence of liquid water waves.
(D) A new faint, tilted ring surrounding the Moon.
(E) Brief disruption in satellite TV communications.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 20 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 0 students

Astronomy current events question: First Family star party

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Kelly Beatty, "Stargazing with the Obamas," October 8, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/63749172.html

What was the special occasion commemorated by the White House Star Party, which was attended by the President and the First Lady?
(A) Washington D.C. Light Pollution Darkout 2009.
(B) 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
(C) NASA LCROSS mission lunar impact.
(D) Renovation of the White House Observatory.
(E) International Year of Astronomy 2009.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 17 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 8 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 22 students

Astronomy current events question: Saturn's new ring system

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Kelly Beatty, "Saturn's New King of the Rings," October 7, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/63685982.html

According to University of Virginia researchers, what is the source of Saturn's newly discovered tilted ring system?
(A) Captured asteroids.
(B) Material from one of its moons.
(C) A disintegrated comet.
(D) Magnetic storm eruptions.
(E) Solar winds.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 6 students
(B) : 39 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 3 students

Astronomy current events question: MESSENGER final destination

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Kelly Beatty, "Messenger's Third "Taste" of Mercury," September 29, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/62766047.html

The NASA MESSENGER spacecraft recently made a third and final flyby past Mercury. What is its final destination in 2011?
(A) Orbiting around Mercury.
(B) Flying through a solar flare.
(C) Crashing into a shadowed crater on Mercury.
(D) Polar orbit around the Sun.
(E) Asteroid 7861 Messenger.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 16 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 0 students

Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam (NCC)

Astronomy 210, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
(North County Campus)

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 14: OBAFGKM Poetry Slam

Students were instructed to use at least OBAFGKM, and/or part or all of the additional OBAFGKMRNSC or OBAFGKMLT extensions to individually write an original, coherent and an appropriate (nothing worse than "PG-13" rated!) mnemonic, and to give a rousing reading of their OBAFGKM mnemonic poem for the class.

Oh Boy!! Asteroid Fragments are Gonna Kill Me...
--C. A.

One Big Ape Fights Giant Killer Moths
--B. A.

On Board A Fire Grew Keeping Me Trapped
--A. B.

Offshore Boaters Are Finding Giant Kelp Mounds
--R. B.

Only Baseless Accusations From Gluttonous Kings Make Royal Necks Sliced Clean
--D. B.

On Birthdays A Funny Grandma Karate-Chops a Mongoose
--L. B.

Oh Boy A Flying Giraffe King Married Len Tonight
--K. C.

Ooooooo Balls A Fiery Gnome Kicked Me Running Naked South of Chile
--T. D.

Oh Boy, Another Film Goes. Keeping Mediocre Ratings. Never Settle. Comedies!
--K. G.

Oh Brother A Flying Gorilla Killed Me
--R. H.

Over Board A Female Goat Kicked Me
--R. J.

On Board A Fairly Giant Killer Missile
--R. K.

Oh Be Afraid, Fat Grandmas Kill Monkeys
--C. L.

October Brings A Frightening Group! Kids Masked Like Turtle Ninjas
--J. L.
Oh Boy, Another Frustrated Girl Kicks Man
--D. M.

Oh Boy An F Grade Kills Me
--S. M.

Oh Bummer A Freaking Gorilla Killed My Lion, Theodore
--T. O.

Oh Banks Are Finally Giving Kind Money
--A. O.

Oh But Another Fine Guitarist Kiboshes My Loathsome Tabulating
--S. R.

Obviously, Bacon And Fat Grease Kills Men
--A. R.

Our Brother And Father Got Kinda Mad
--J. R.

Outrageous Builders Are Farming Giant Killer Monsters
--J. R.

Only Baby Animals Freak-out Good Kids' Mothers
--C. S.

Only Boys Attend Fighting Gangster Karate Movies
--A. S.

Only Bourne, A Fighter, Gets Killing Men
--K. S.

Oh Boy A Fat Girl Kissed Me
--A. T.

Oh Bob Accidentally Farts Gases Keeps Me Making Rare Noises
--Anonymous

Out Back A Fat Goat Kills Men
--Anonymous

Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam (SLO)

Astronomy 210, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
(San Luis Obispo Campus)

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 14: OBAFGKM Poetry Slam

Students were instructed to use at least OBAFGKM, and/or part or all of the additional OBAFGKMRNSC or OBAFGKMLT extensions to individually write an original, coherent and an appropriate (nothing worse than "PG-13" rated!) mnemonic, and to give a rousing reading of their OBAFGKM mnemonic poem for the class.

Oh, Booze And Food Gets Kids Merry
--S. A.

Oh Boy, A Flying Gorilla Killed Ma!
--S. A.

Oh Buddy, Astronomy Frequently Gives Killer Migraines
--M. A.

Ouch! Bees Are Finally Gonna Kill Me.
--K. B.

Obama Bankrupts America; Fact. Gets KGB Membership.
--L. B.
Overweight Bats Are Fighting Gorillas in the Kona Mountains
--H. C.

Oo Bama Asked for Gorilla King Meat
--R. C.

Ogres Bite Americans For Giants Kill Monks
--H. C.

Obese Black women Are Frickin' Great Kitchen Moms
--B. D.

Obese Blue Aliens Fight Gassy Killer Medications
--J. E.

Oh Boy, Anyone Feeling Grumpy? Kinda? Maybe?
--M. F.

Only Betray A Friend if you're Going Krazy Man!! it's Really Not So Cool.
--L. G.

Only Bad Ass Fighters Get Killer Marks Like Tigers
--L. G.
Otter Babies Are Fluffy Giant Killer Machines
--A. G.
Oh Brother! A Fake Green Killer Mantaray!
--M. H.

Outnumbered British Admirals Fight Gallantly Killing Many Rebellious New Seamen
--M. H.

Open Before Another Fairy Gnome Kicks Me
--E. J.

Only Bewildered Astronauts Fear Ghenghis Khan's Machete
--B. J.
Octoberfest Beers Are Freakin Good @ Keeping Me Lightly Trashed
--J. J.

Octopus-Bears Are Freakin' Great Killing Machines
--K. J.
Our Bees Are Ferocious Ghosts! Killing Me...Like Tycho!
--C. K.

Only Bad-A**es For Governor, 'Kay Man?
--N. K.

On Blankets Are Flying Geese Kicking Mud
--B. L.

Oh Boy A Fat Guy Kicked Me
--J. M.

Obnoxious Bretheren Amplified Following Gallons of Killer Margaritas
--A. M.
One Big Astronomy Final. God Kill Me.
--P. M.

Obviously Bars Are For Gathering Kinky Moms
--T. M.

Octopuses Back Away From Gigantic Kayaks Mysteriously
--B. P.Offering Beer At Family Gatherings Killed Mom
--L. P.
"Only Bears Are Fully Godless Killing Machines," Reports Newsman Stephen Colbert, Later Tonight.
--I. P.
Only Big Asteroids Force Giant Killer Monsoon
--J. R.

On Birthdays, A Fat Gut Kicks Me
--J. R.

Oh Be A Freakin' Guy, Kill Mice Lighting TNT!
--J. R.

Only Big Ass Funky Gorillas Kick Monkeys
--T. S.

Orangutans Bully All Furry Gorillas Kissing Monkeys
--R. S.

Oaring Back and Forth, Gallic King McFinnigan Returned North
--M. S.

Orange Belugas Assume Fred Gives Killer Makeovers
--D. S.

Outrageous Bitches Always Feel Good Killing Men
--T. S.

One Ballistic Angry Farmer Grew Killer Melons!!!
--M. S.
Oh Baby A Few Gushers Kindly More
--N. T.

Only Bob And Fred Go Kayaking Mondays
--N. T.

Only Bitchin' Acronyms Form Gnarly Knowledgeable Minds
My Krazy Glue Fixes All Broken Objects
--A. W.

Orange Bees Ally Free Giants Killing Mankind
--P. W.

Oak Branches Are Fairly Good at Killing Me
--M. Z.

Previous post: Astronomy in-class activity: OBAFGKM poetry slam instructions.

Astronomy midterm question: telling "moon-time"

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Shown at right is an excerpt from a comic strip (Baby Blues, Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott, King Features Syndicate, August 2, 2009). Given the phase of the moon shown here, discuss a plausible time at night for the events depicted in this comic strip, using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, moon, and Earth.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Identifies the phase as waxing gibbous, which is highest overhead at 9 PM (rising at 3 PM, and setting at 3 AM), using a diagram of the sun, moon, and Earth. May choose 9 PM, or anytime between sunset (6 PM) to 3 AM as being a plausible time for the events depicted in the comic strip.
  
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. May include 3 PM in a range of plausible times, or diagram has minor inconsistencies/errors.
  
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram, phase, or time.
  
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Problems with diagram, phase, and time.
  
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
  
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  
• z:
  Blank.
  

Grading distribution:
Section 70160
p: 18 students
r: 2 students
t: 6 students
v: 12 students
x: 1 student
y: 2 students
z: 1 student

A sample "p" response (from student 1022), with a plausible range of times at night:
Another sample "p" response (from student ), with one chosen plausible time at night:
A sample "r" response (from student ), with daylight hours (3 PM-6 PM) included in the range of plausible times at night:
A sample "t" response (from student 5413), with the correct phase and a plausible time at night, but with a problematic diagram: