Astronomy current events question: mysterious martian plumes

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2015
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 news release, "Mystery Mars Plume Baffles Scientists," (February 16, 2015)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mystery_Mars_plume_baffles_scientists

Archived images from the Hubble Space Telescope and amateur astronomers confirmed the periodic appearance of _________ high above Mars' atmosphere.
(A) meteor showers.
(B) shepherd moons.
(C) a faint ring.
(D) a dark matter halo.
(E) bright clouds.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 10 students
(E) : 34 students