Astronomy current events question: flash spotted on Jupiter

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2012
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 Boyle, "Flash Spotted on Jupiter: Is It A Hit?," September 10, 2012
http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/10/13789057-flash-spotted-on-jupiter-is-it-a-hit

Amateur astronomers in the U.S. recently observed a bright flash on Jupiter, which may have been caused by: (A) colliding ring particles.
(B) swirling reflective particles.
(C) a large meteor or comet impact.
(D) an energetic solar flare.
(E) massive lightning storms.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 42 students
(D) : 3 students
(E) : 6 students