Astronomy current events question: 'comet massacre' around young star

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2012
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!)

Space.com staff, "Scientists Find 'Comet Massacre' Around One Young Star," April 13, 2012
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47041697/ns/technology_and_science-space/#.T6CBlp9YvXK

Observations of __________ surrounding the star Fomalhaut by the European Space Agency's Herschel space observatory may be evidence of continuously colliding comets.
(A) energetic radio interference.
(B) gravitational fluctuations.
(C) intermittent bursts of infrared light.
(D) a rapidly disintegrating protostar.
(E) a cold dust belt.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 10 students
(D) : 8 students
(E) : 26 students