Astronomy current events question: super-Earth HD 40307g

Astronomy 210L, fall 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!)

Kacie Sugrue, "New Super-Earth in Six Planet System May Be Just Right to Support Life," November 8, 2012
http://www.herts.ac.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/New-Super-Earth-in-Six-Planet-System-May-Be-Just-Right-to-Support-Life.cfm

An international team of astronomers has recently discovered super-Earth planet HD 40307g, which may have conditions to support life due to:
(A) a similar atmospheric composition.
(B) receiving a similar amount of energy from its star.
(C) the absence of a neighboring asteroid belt.
(D) its slightly tilted rotation axis.
(E) being orbited by a stabilizing moon.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 15 students
(B) : 32 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 5 students
(E) : 5 students