Neil deGrasse Tyson Pinpoints Superman's Home Star System

kmoser writes "Everybody's favorite astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, makes an appearance in upcoming Superman #14, in which Superman visits the Hayden Planetarium to view his original planet. Meanwhile, back in reality, DC Comics explains that NdGT has used his 'astronomical' powers to select the red dwarf LHS 2520 as the most likely real-life red star to fit with Superman's back story."

Re:what they totally forgot

[Black Parrot]

If you look at the actual comic, they are trying to help Superman determine if his planet of origin, Krypton, is still intact or detectable.

What they forget is that any light from Krypton's system is so many light years away that we would effectively be seeing Superman's homeworld *before* it was destroyed. NDGT didn't think of this?

The Badass Tronomer's blog hints that that time delay plays a role in the plot.

What I don't get is, if just a handful of kryptonite brings Superman to his knees, how did his parents survive on a whole planet of the stuff?

Re:NIce

[Anonymous Coward]

Ahh, somebody has hurt feelings and is somewhat bitter me thinks.

So, who would you rather have talking to the idiot public about things they do not understand?

Michio Kaku is a fine example of somebody who is very smart, and is good at breaking down complex topics so that regular tards can understand at least some of it. He is a very valuable science resource. Just because you have had a bone to pick with Hyperspace for 20 years doesn't mean he does a bad job. It is a good sign that we have science "celebrities". Just because it isn't you doesn't invalidate their usefulness.

You know, smart folks can have a good amount of knowledge about things "outside their field." Feynman anyone? Were Feynman alive today he'd be everywhere on every topic, UFO's to strip clubs.

Quit bitching and be happy somebody lets these folks say anything at all.

Re:what they totally forgot

[alexander_686]

Jor-El, as a brilliant scientist, knew that the yellow sun would give his child super powers.

Look, Superman been around for almost 75 years. During that time a lot of above average people have had these types of questions and the writers have answered them. Sometimes with poor science, sometimes they contradict themselves.

On the flip side, there is some good stuff out there.
James Kakalios is my favorite example. Physicist (PhD., Professor.) and lover of comic books. He has done some cool stuff.
http://www.physicsofsuperheroes.com/intro-physics-book.php [physicsofsuperheroes.com]
http://www.physicsofsuperheroes.com/videos.php [physicsofsuperheroes.com]

Re:NIce

[Mr2cents]

If you like Feynman, I hope you have watched these lectures [vega.org.uk], the video quality isn't great but the content more than makes up for it.

Re:NIce

[WGFCrafty]

When Sagans's cosmos began it was the most watched show in the history of public television history. You need hard numbers to prove science popularization has done something to influence the public?

The problem is many modern science shows emphasize effects over knowledge. Carl Sagans "apple pie" episode is so jam packed with essential knowledge it's ridiculous.

Re:The comic is actually Action Comics #14

[witherstaff]

I had been reading comics around the reboot and just gave up on DC. Marvel does a variety of reboots to a point and restarts numbers at #1 on a near regular basis but that's a series not a whole continuity change. But the crossover mania, even not having to err.. pay much.. for comics got so it wasn't worth the time. Last year's Fear itself storyline was over 100 comics. That'd be a lot of money shelled out to follow one storyline.