Astronomy current events question: origin of object A/2017 U1

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!)

DC Agle, Laurie Cantillo, Dwayne Brown, and Roy Gal, "Small Asteroid or Comet 'Visits' from Beyond the Solar System" (October 26, 2017)
nasa.gov/feature/jpl/small-asteroid-or-comet-visits-from-beyond-the-solar-system

Based on observations of its trajectory, A/2017 U1 may be an asteroid or comet that is:
(A) from outside the solar system.
(B) made of dark matter.
(C) a neutron star remnant.
(D) propelled by gravity waves.
(E) nearly pure water ice.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186
(A) : 39 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 3 students