20151030

Astronomy current events question: KIC 8462852 light curve variations?

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2015
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!)
Bob King, "What’s Orbiting KIC 8462852--Shattered Comet or Alien Megastructure?" (October 26, 2015)
universetoday.com/122865/whats-orbiting-kic-8462852-shattered-comet-or-alien-megastructure/
Flickering light from the sun-like star KIC 8462852 ("Kepler 11") possibly caused by an alien megastructure (among plausible natural causes) was first noted by:
(A) cryptography experts.
(B) ancient Egyptians.
(C) Mars rover Curiosity.
(D) internet volunteers.
(E) Galileo Galilei.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 14 students
(E) : 3 students

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