This is a list of amusing responses to homework and exam questions from introductory astronomy courses for which I have been a T.A. or a professor. I've kept them anonymous so no one gets upset. In most cases, I can figure out the source of the misconception, but some are just plain bizarre.
This page was dormant for five years because I wasn't teaching. Now that I'm a professor, I'm teaching again, and I'm back with all new quotes! Oh, what a joy to revive this page!
"Solar flares produce vast quantities of TNT."
"The sun's energy is produced by the sun's sunspots."
"The sun's energy comes from the earth's core."
"Do I believe that life exists in the universe? Yes, I've met them."
"If I hadn't stayed up all night studying for this exam, I probably would remember the formula."
"Terrestrial planets don't have moons."
"Terrestrial planets do not have gravity."
"Jovian planets are not a part of our solar system."
"Jovian planets are not even in our galaxy."
"The cores of terrestrial planets are liquid, which gives rise to erosion."
"The universe is hot and has been hot since its formation. The spectrum is evil. I like cheese."
"The difference between the terrestrial and jovian planets is that terrestrial begins with a T and jovian begins with a J."
"Astronomers don't build observatories in Hawaii because of the beaches (it does help :-p)"
"Astronomers, in all their genius, have come up with ways to get around this problem ... Ah, how clever are the astronomers!"
"You can just do away with Earth all together and go into space ..."
"Billions of stars fill our universe. These stars come in many different shapes (as long as they are spheres. :-P)"
If you liked this list, then you'll also like another site by Dr. Bill Keel of the University of Alabama. He has a list of similar quotes by both students and professional astronomers. Check out Astronomy students say the strangest things ... and so do professionals!
Some other interesting exam answer sites: They Didn't Study and Funny Exam Answers.