Astronomy current events question: fortuitous discovery of SN 2016gkg

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2018
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!)

Davide Castelvecchi, "Amateur Astronomer Catches First Glimpses of Birth of a Supernova" (February 21, 2018)
nature.com/articles/d41586-018-02331-4

As it was starting to explode in galaxy NGC 613, the supernova SN 2016gkg was discovered by an amateur astronomer:
(A) during a local power outage.
(B) researching old photographic plates.
(C) watching a total lunar eclipse.
(D) testing a new camera.
(E) hiking in the desert.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 30679, 30680
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 6 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 30 students
(E) : 0 students