A2_2 Why So Blue?

Abstract

We determine that the probable source of Dr Manhattan’s blue glow is the ionisation and excitation of nitrogen in the air around him. Through comparison with a filament lighbulb his minimum power output from photon production is estimated. Taking into account the dissociation and ionisation energies of each of the fluorescing molecules provides an upper limit on his power output. These limits are ≈ 470 W and ≈ 3300 W, respectively. Little to no information is given about Dr Manhattan’s physical properties in the source material, and these calculations require many assumptions and approximations.