Physics of Superman Part 3

under a red sun

The effects of Krypton’s red sun, known as Rao, play a crucial role in explaining Superman’s abilities—or rather, the absence of them—when he is under its influence. Let’s explore why Krypton’s red sun has such a dramatic impact on Superman and other Kryptonians, especially in comparison to Earth’s yellow sun.

1. Difference Between Red and Yellow Suns

The primary distinction lies in the type of radiation emitted by a red sun compared to a yellow sun:

• • Red Sun (Rao): Krypton’s sun is classified as a red giant. Red giants emit lower-energy radiation compared to smaller, hotter stars like our yellow sun. The spectrum of light is shifted more towards the infrared and red wavelengths, meaning the radiation intensity is lower, especially in the high-energy visible and ultraviolet spectrums.

• • Yellow Sun (Earth’s Sun): The yellow sun (classified as a G-type main-sequence star or “G dwarf”) emits higher-energy radiation across a wider spectrum, including visible light, ultraviolet (UV), and infrared. This radiation is far more energetic compared to that of a red giant.

2. Effect of Red Sunlight on Kryptonian Physiology

Kryptonians, including Superman, derive their superpowers from the radiation emitted by a yellow sun. Under a red sun, however, several key changes occur:

a. Absence of Superpowers

• • Energy Source Deprivation: Superman’s powers are fueled by the solar radiation of a yellow sun. The lower-energy radiation from a red sun lacks the intensity and the specific wavelength energy that his cells require to maintain their supercharged state. Under the red sun, Superman’s cells cannot absorb or convert energy effectively.

• • Baseline Kryptonian Physiology: Under the red sun, Superman’s physiology reverts to what would be considered “normal” for a Kryptonian. He becomes as vulnerable as any human on Earth, losing his strength, invulnerability, flight, heat vision, and all his other superhuman abilities. This suggests that the extraordinary powers Kryptonians display under yellow sun radiation are not inherent but are due to the augmentation provided by high-energy radiation absorption.

b. Depletion of Stored Energy

• • Loss Over Time: Superman can retain his powers for a while after exposure to a yellow sun, due to the stored solar energy in his cells. However, once under a red sun, he can no longer replenish these energy reserves. Over time, as he uses his powers, the stored energy becomes depleted, and he gradually becomes powerless.

• • No Recharge: Under the red sun, the lack of suitable radiation means that Superman’s biological “solar battery” cannot be recharged, similar to a solar-powered device suddenly being put in the dark. This also means his advanced metabolic processes lose their enhanced efficiency, reverting to a lower, more standard metabolic level.

3. Comparison to Earth-Like Conditions

To understand this effect more clearly, consider the comparison between Kryptonian and Earth conditions:

• • On Earth, with a yellow sun, Superman’s cells act almost like photovoltaic cells or hyper-efficient batteries, continuously absorbing and storing high-energy radiation, which fuels his strength, speed, invulnerability, and other powers.

• • On Krypton, or under the influence of a red sun, Superman’s cells don’t have access to high-energy yellow sunlight. The red sun emits weaker radiation, which does not energize Kryptonian cells the same way. Thus, they function in a biologically “normal” manner, with no extraordinary enhancement.

4. Biological Adaptation and Evolutionary Context

• • Adaptation to Red Sun: Kryptonians evolved under the radiation of a red sun, and their biological systems adapted to this lower-energy environment. Under these conditions, they are physically strong by human standards (due to Krypton’s higher gravity), but not superpowered.

• • Yellow Sun Effect: The yellow sun radiation provides far more energetic particles, which, when absorbed, allows Kryptonians to undergo an enormous power boost. It’s as if their biology has a hidden potential that’s unlocked only by a more powerful energy source. This could imply that Kryptonian biology is highly adaptable, capable of storing and converting energy in ways that are dormant under normal conditions.

5. Other Effects and Limitations Under a Red Sun

• • Vulnerability: Under a red sun, Superman is vulnerable to harm just like any ordinary human would be on Earth. He can be injured by conventional means, his invulnerability and accelerated healing factors disappear, and his overall strength and durability diminish.

• • Power-Draining Weaponry: In various storylines, villains have used technology to simulate red sun radiation as a means of neutralizing Superman’s powers. The radiation from a red sun effectively neutralizes Superman’s ability to harness energy and robs him of his strength, making him susceptible to physical attacks.

6. Real-World Analogy for Understanding

If we think of Superman’s body as akin to a solar panel with a battery:

• • Under a yellow sun, the panel is exposed to very bright and energetic light, allowing it to collect a huge amount of energy that powers everything (his superpowers).

• • Under a red sun, the sunlight is more diffuse and less energetic, so the panel can’t generate as much power. Consequently, the stored energy depletes until nothing is left to power the system.

Summary

The effect of Krypton’s red sun on Superman is essentially to take away the source of his powers. Kryptonian physiology evolved under the red sun, which provides weaker radiation that doesn’t stimulate or empower their biology in any superhuman way. In contrast, under the energetic yellow sun of Earth, Superman’s cells become hyper-efficient at absorbing, storing, and using solar energy, which in turn activates his incredible abilities.

In essence:

• • Red Sun Radiation: No high-energy input, powers deplete, Superman reverts to being “normal” (in Kryptonian terms).

• • Yellow Sun Radiation: High-energy input, continuous recharge, Superman has superhuman abilities.

This dynamic between solar energy absorption and Kryptonian biology is key to explaining why Superman is powerful on Earth but loses those abilities when exposed to Krypton’s red sun or similar conditions.