20190906

Astronomy current events question: early protoplanet-Jupiter impact

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2019
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!)
Mike Williams, "Young Jupiter Was Smacked Head-on by Massive Newborn Planet" (August 14, 2019)
news.rice.edu/2019/08/14/young-jupiter-was-smacked-head-on-by-massive-newborn-planet/
Jupiter's gravitational anomalies may have been caused by an impact with a massive planetary embryo 4.5 billion years ago, based on:
(A) radioactivity levels.
(B) computer simulations.
(C) radio telescope signals.
(D) gravitational wave detectors.
(E) similarities between ancient myths.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 12 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 16 students
(E) : 1 student

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