Astronomy current events question: white dwarf WD 1145+017

Astronomy 210L, fall 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!)

Michele Johnson, "NASA’s K2 Finds Dead Star Vaporizing a Mini 'Planet'" (October 21, 2015)
nasa.gov/ames/kepler/nasa-k2-finds-dead-star-vaporizing-mini-planet

Observations of the white dwarf WD 1145+017 vaporizing a planetesimal may explain how some white dwarfs:
(A) undergo supernova explosions.
(B) can increase in size.
(C) eventually become black holes.
(D) have atmospheres with heavy elements.
(E) cannot support life on Earth-like planets.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Section 70178
(A) : 6 students
(B) : 7 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 1 student