20200221

Astronomy current events question: Betelgeuse dimming

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2020
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!)
Bob King, "Betelgeuse is Dimming...Why?" (December 31, 2019)
skyandtelescope.com/observing/fainting-betelgeuse/
The red supergiant Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion is currently at a "superminimum" brightness as it:
(A) collapses into a black hole.
(B) depletes its heavy elements.
(C) points its axis away from Earth.
(D) passes behind its binary companion.
(E) expands and contracts its atmosphere.

Correct answer: (E)

Student responses
Sections 30679, 30680
(A) : 7 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 23 students

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