Astronomy current events question: Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko molecular nitrogen

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!)

Markus Bauer




, Martin Rubin, Kathrin Altwegg
 and Matt Taylor



, "Rosetta Makes First Detection of Molecular Nitrogen at a Comet" (March 19, 2015)
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_makes_first_detection_of_molecular_nitrogen_at_a_comet

Nitrogen molecules from Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko detected by the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft indicate that it may have formed:
(A) with polar ice caps.
(B) from a large impact.
(C) within Saturn's rings.
(D) by ancient supernovae.
(E) in the outer solar system.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 12 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 13 students
(E) : 23 students