Superman's Planet Krypton 'Found,' But Where Is It?

The planet Krypton is said to be located 27.1 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation Corvus (The Crow), says Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium in New York City.

Tyson told the website that the planet orbits LHS 2520, a small, relatively "cool" red dwarf star. 

How can it be that a fictional planet is found? Tyson was tapped by DC Comics for the celestial sleuthing, when it conceived a story about searching for Superman's home planet.

In the new comic book coming out on Wednesday, called  "Star Light, Star Bright,"  Tyson himself will appear to help Man of Steel on his quest.

"As a native of Metropolis [i.e. New York City], I was delighted to help Superman, who has done so much for my city over all these years," Tyson said in a statement. "And it’s clear that if he weren’t a superhero he would have made quite an astrophysicist."

Space.com revealed that people will have to pick up and read "Star Light, Star Bright" to find out just how Superman and Tyson were able to ultimately find Krypton.

For those who are interesting in finding LHS 2520 for themselves, here are some of Krypton's coordinates as per Space. com:

Right Ascension: 12 hours 10 minutes 5.77 seconds

Declination:  -15 degrees 4 minutes 17.9 seconds

Proper Motion: 0.76 arcseconds per year, along 172.94 degrees from due north

According to Superman's origin story, he born as Kal-El on Krytpon and was sent to Earth by his father, Jor-El, when his planet was about to be destructed. When he landed in Smallville, Kan., Superman was raised as Clark Kent by a farmer. 

Thanks to Tyson, Superman finally will know exactly where he comes from after some 75 years as a comic book hero.

"This is a major milestone in the Superman mythos that gives our super hero a place in the universe," DC Entertainment co-publisher Dan DiDio said in a statement. "Having Neil deGrasse Tyson in the book was one thing, but by applying real-world science to this story he has forever changed Superman’s place in history. Now fans will be able to look up at the night’s sky and say, 'That’s where Superman was born.'"