20091204

Astronomy current events question: Cassiopeia A neutron star

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, "Carbon Atmosphere Discovered on Neutron Star," November 4, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8771
What have University of Alberta researchers determined about the Cassiopeia A neutron star, using results from the Chandra X-ray Observatory?
(A) Has a thin coating of carbon.
(B) On the verge of imploding, becoming a black hole.
(C) Has zero spin.
(D) Transparent to certain types of x-rays.
(E) Has not actually exploded yet, due to the finite speed of light.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 38 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 0 students

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