20131018

Astronomy current events question: pulsar PSR J1824-24521

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2013
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!)
Camille Carlisle, "Pulsar on the Fence," September 25, 2013
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/newsblog/Pulsar-on-the-Fence-225076622.html
Observations of pulses switching from x-rays to radio waves from pulsar PSR J1824-24521 may be evidence of ending its:
(A) black hole evolution.
(B) hyper-rapid rotation.
(C) main-sequence lifetime.
(D) feeding on a companion star.
(E) production of dark matter.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 19 students
(C) : 12 students
(D) : 24 students
(E) : 1 student

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