Astronomy current events question: Betelgeuse bubble

Astronomy 210L, Spring Semester 2011
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!)

The Canadian Press, "Betelgeuse Close-up Reveals Dying Star," July 30, 2009
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/30/betelgeuse-dying-telescope-star.html

The Very Large Telescope in Chile recently observed __________ the star Betelgeuse.
(A) a terrestrial planet with oceans orbiting.
(B) gas plumes and a bubble emerging from.
(C) dark matter being drawn in towards.
(D) the start of the gravitational collapse of.
(E) a companion black hole orbiting.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 36 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 14 students
(E) : 3 students