For Science of the Day

A new study of the aerodynamics of Batman's winged attire concludes that the caped crusader certainly can fly over Gotham City, but that when it comes to landing, his gear is a suicide waiting to happen.

Student physicists at the University of Leicester, in a paper titled "Trajectory of a Falling Batman," determined that Batman's velocity as he approached street level -- 50 mph -- would be too great for him to survive without serious injury.

"If Batman wanted to survive the flight, he would definitely need a bigger cape," co-author David Marshall suggests helpfully. "Or if he preferred to keep his style he could opt for using active propulsion, such as jets to keep himself aloft."

[telegraph]