#13 - When astronomers observed the comet

[srcline@noctrl.edu]

Hello

So I understand that that this is a resolve the discrepancy question, So we are trying to explain how:

1. Astronomers saw a comet in September and correctly predicted that it was breaking up, bc when comets are breaking up they emit gas and dust which in turn make them look brighter.

2. But the astronomers didn't actually see the comet breaking up until two months later in November.

So we are trying to explain this time lapse correct?
I understand why C is correct.
So D is not correct because it doesnt explain why the comet was seen breaking up in November correct, in other words it doesnt explain this time lapse ?

Also I choose A, but is A just a premise booster?

Thankyou
Sarah

[Emily Haney-Caron]

Hi Sarah,

A is actually the opposite of what you want: it is saying they should have seen the comet break up several weeks BEFORE it got bright, but instead the reverse of that happened.

Your reasoning about D is completely correct - good job! It provides kind of irrelevant information, rather than explaining the time lapse.