Astronomy quiz question: exploded star still visible

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, Spring Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The __________ makes it possible for a massive star that has already exploded as a type II supernova to still be observed as a supergiant in Earth's night sky.
(A) Hubble law.
(B) early inflation of the universe.
(C) expansion of space.
(D) finite speed of light

Correct answer: (D)

Due to its finite, light from the type II supernova will take time to reach Earth, such that it may have already exploded, but light from its earlier supergiant phase is still traveling towards Earth.

Section 30674
(A) : 10 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 29 students

"Success level": 71% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.38

Section 30676
(A) : 8 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 55 students

"Success level": 81% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.30