Astronomy current events question: Gliese 581's super earth, part 1

Astronomy 10L, Spring Semester 2007
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events (skytonight.com, from Sky & Telescope magazine), 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!)

[0.2 points.] What is most significant about the recently discovered planet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581? Circle your answer below.
(A) It is about to burned up by Gliese 581, as it is so close that its orbit around it is already only 13 days long.
(B) It is about to be swallowed up by Gliese 581 as the red dwarf becomes a giant.
(C) It may be an extremely old Earth-like planet, and thus may harbor an advanced technological civilization.
(D) It may be an Earth-like planet in its first stages of formation, with the correct conditions for carbon-based life.
(E) It may be an Earth-like planet at the right distance to have water in liquid form.

Correct answer: (E).

Student responses
Section 4137
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 17 students

Section 4138
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 3 students
(E) : 13 students

Section 4139
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 14 students