Astronomy current events question: comet orbiting star KIC 3542116

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2017
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!)

Abby Abazorius, Alyssa Drake, Robert Massey, Rebecca Johnson, and Michele Johnson, "Citizen Scientist Spots Comet Tails Streaking Past Distant Star" (October 30, 2017)
ras.org.uk/news-and-press/3061-citizen-scientist-spots-comet-tails-streaking-past-distant-star

A comet orbiting the star KIC 3542116 was discovered by an online volunteer noticing slight decreases in light as it __________ its star.
(A) gravitationally pulled.
(B) escaped from.
(C) collided with.
(D) passed in front of.
(E) reflects light from.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 37 students
(E) : 2 students