Astronomy current events question: upper atmosphere dust samples

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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "'Ultra-Primitive' Particles Found in Comet Dust," November 2, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8767

According to Carnegie Institute researchers, dust samples collected by high-flying aircraft in the upper atmosphere contain:
(A) evidence that a global cooling cycle is starting.
(B) material from a new atmospheric layer of carbon dioxide.
(C) material from stars that existed before the birth of our solar system.
(D) characteristics of lunar soil samples.
(E) pollen grains and seeds from before the dinosaur extinction.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 43 students
(D) : 3 students
(E) : 2 students