Xponent wrote:
I got questions for the astronomy folks<G>
How large can a terrestrial planet be? (In multiples of Earth masses
preferably)
A guy at work was telling me about some book he read, "the science
behind superheroes" or somesuch. He goes on about Supermans powers
saying "For Superman to be able to jump 1/8 mile, Krypton would have
to be 15 times more massive than Earth which is impossible because
that would make it a gas giant or made from exotic matter"
Inside my head red lights flashed and sirens blared and I called
"bullshit" on him (or the author of the book perhaps).
The fellow I was talking with ordinarily impresses me as being fairly
bright, but being informed that Jupiter is only 5 times larger (or
even more massive) than Earth puts something of a strain on my
ability to hold a conversation.
A little searching identifies his book for me: The Physics of
Superheroes by James Kakalios
Anyone read this or seen it? I'm wondering if the guy just garbled
what he had read.
I have not.
I will be going to the bookstore no later than next Sunday; if I
remember to look for it, and they have it, and I feel comfortable
flipping through it, I will.
I may reconsider if someone else posts about it. :)
Julia
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