20091025

Astronomy current events question: Saturn's new ring system

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, "Saturn's New King of the Rings," October 7, 2009
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/63685982.html
According to University of Virginia researchers, what is the source of Saturn's newly discovered tilted ring system?
(A) Captured asteroids.
(B) Material from one of its moons.
(C) A disintegrated comet.
(D) Magnetic storm eruptions.
(E) Solar winds.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 6 students
(B) : 39 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 4 students
(E) : 3 students

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