Astronomy current events question: hot exoplanet WASP-18b

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, "Why Does Exoplanet WASP-18b Exist?" August 26, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/55066637.html

According to United Kingdom researchers, what is so surprising about the recently discovered exoplanet WASP-18b?
(A) Orbits its star too closely to survive very long.
(B) Has traces of organic compounds associated with life on Earth.
(C) May have recently collided with exoplanet WASP-18a.
(D) Too large to be considered a planet.
(E) Will soon cause its star to undergo a nova explosion.

Correct answer: (A).

Student responses
Sections 70178, 71086
(A) : 34 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 6 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 0 students