Astronomy current events question: "Breakthrough Starshot" proposal

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2016
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!)

Geoff Brumfiel, "Stephen Hawking's Plan for Interstellar Travel Has Some Earthly Obstacles" (April 14, 2016)
npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/14/474227319/stephen-hawkings-plan-for-interstellar-travel-has-some-earthly-obstacles

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and Russian billionaire Yuri Milner proposed using a __________ to accelerate small spacecraft to the Alpha Centauri star system.
(A) giant laser.
(B) matter-antimatter reactor.
(C) fusion engine.
(D) hydrogen ramjet.
(E) reactionless thruster.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679, 30680
(A) : 23 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 12 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 3 students