Astronomy current events question: interstellar sonic booms

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!)

European Space Agency new release, "Herschel Links Star Formation to Sonic Booms," April 13, 2011
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMK0H7S9MG_index_0.html

The European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory has observed ___________ that may have been formed by shockwaves produced by exploding stars.
(A) bubbles of raw hydrogen.
(B) interstellar gas filaments.
(C) newly formed black holes.
(D) jovian planets.
(E) metal-rich brown dwarfs.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 28 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 9 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 0 students