Astronomy current events question: LkCa15 planet formation

Astronomy 210L, fall 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!)

Phil Plait, "The First Direct Image of a Baby Planet Being Born!," October 20, 2011
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/10/20/the-first-direct-image-of-a-baby-planet-being-born-maybebut-probably/

Keck Observatory infrared images show that the star LkCa15 may have a planet in the process of:
(A) reaching escape velocity.
(B) evaporating its oceans.
(C) a type Ia supernova.
(D) forming from a debris disk.
(E) redshifting and blueshifting.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 3 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 38 students
(E) : 3 students