Scientists unearth Superman's "kryptonite"

[Scotty]

Scientists unearth Superman's "kryptonite"

LONDON (Reuters) - Kryptonite, which robbed Superman of his powers, is no longer the stuff of comic books and films.

A mineral found by geologists in Serbia shares virtually the same chemical composition as the fictional kryptonite from outer space, used by the superhero's nemesis Lex Luther to weaken him in the film "Superman Returns".

"We will have to be careful with it -- we wouldn't want to deprive Earth of its most famous superhero!," said Dr Chris Stanley, a mineralogist at the Natural History Museum.

Stanley, who revealed the identity of the mysterious new mineral, discovered the match after searching the Internet for its chemical formula - sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide.

"I was amazed to discover that same scientific name written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luther from a museum in the film Superman Returns," he said.

The substance has been confirmed as a new mineral after tests by scientists at the Natural History Museum and the National Research Council in Canada.

But instead of the large green crystals in Superman comics, the real thing is a white, powdery substance which contains no fluorine and is non-radioactive.

The mineral, to be named Jadarite, will go on show at the the Natural History Museum at certain times of the day on Wednesday, April 25, and Sunday, May 13.

[darthadv]

why not name it kryptonite? the thing is white, and they're going with a name that refers to green in its root (jade)?

[AT]

How about calling it ChristopherReeveite? Maybe GeorgeReevesite? Definitely NOT DeanCainite.

[Lightning Fingers]

why not name it kryptonite? the thing is white, and they're going with a name that refers to green in its root (jade)?

There's no Krypton in the mineral and it's named after the town it was found near.

[darthadv]

There's no Krypton in the mineral and it's named after the town it was found near.

Well, the town isn't an inherent part of the mineral either, so it's all subjective what they call it... the fact is, they're refering to Superman to bring attention to it, so my point was that they might as well have named after the fictitious Krypton. Stars and dinosaurs have been named after personal things and acquaintances, so this could've been a nice tip of the cap.

[Lightning Fingers]

Well, the town isn't an inherent part of the mineral either, so it's all subjective what they call it... the fact is, they're refering to Superman to bring attention to it, so my point was that they might as well have named after the fictitious Krypton. Stars and dinosaurs have been named after personal things and acquaintances, so this could've been a nice tip of the cap.

They brought Superman into the story because the composition of Kryptonite was revealed in the recent Superman Returns movie. There is a nomenclature that is followed to determine the name of a newly found mineral. When I saw the first Superman movie, I thought Kryptonite was a cool crystal.

[AT]

They brought Superman into the story because the composition of Kryptonite was revealed in the recent Superman Returns movie. There is a nomenclature that is followed to determine the name of a newly found mineral. When I saw the first Superman movie, I thought Kryptonite was a cool crystal.

Remember Superman III, the one with Richard Pryor? I think they listed the makeup of Kryptonite, minus the "unknown," in that movie.

[Aristotle]

This seems like a group of scientists spinning the story and getting a free ride from Superman so that their find makes the headlines.

I don't know if we have geologists or chemists amongst us, but my guess is that there are other minerals composed of the supposed elements of "kryptonite".

Sorry to be so synical.

[ZeoBandit]

Let's start a petition to rename it to Kryptonite. Online petitions accomplish so much!