<P> Superman's heat vision is the ability to emit solar energy from his eyes . Heat vision was initially introduced as "the heat of his x-ray vision" (a byproduct of his existing x-ray vision powers) in Superman (vol. 1) #59 (July 1949); heat vision as a separate power first appeared in Action Comics #275 (April 1961). In Superman #38, part of The New 52, it is revealed that Superman's heat vision is a precursor to a power called "super flare". This power utilizes all the solar energy stored within Superman's cells, allowing him to resort to an all - out attack . However, Superman cannot use it more than occasionally, as it drains him of all the solar energy he has stored up until he can recharge his cells with solar energy which takes him about 24 hours . During this time frame, he is essentially human in his abilities . </P> <P> Immunity to almost all forms of harm and ailments, including extreme force and extremely high temperatures . Effectiveness has ranged from nothing less than a "bursting shell" being able to pierce his skin (in the beginning of the mythos), to surviving being struck by the electromagnetic waves of a star going supernova with 50 times the force of Kepler's Supernova (after Superman was already weakened by red sunlight radiation), to withstanding the collapse of universes . Explanations for this ability have ranged from Kryptonians having a molecular structure with a density superior to that of titanium and having strong bonds within the cells of his body that cannot be pulled apart . His invulnerability has enabled him to withstand Darkseid's omega beams, a feat originally thought to be impossible . In the rare instances, however, that Superman has required medical attention, this resistance to injuries has complicated necessary procedures such as surgery . For instance, when a criminal shot him with a kryptonite bullet, a surgeon was forced to give Superman a controlled exposure to the mineral, thereby temporarily weakening his skin enough to make the incisions necessary to remove internal fragments of the bullet . Superman can also withstand kryptonite in certain circumstances, but prolonged exposure will eventually be fatal . Superman's invulnerability is further increased by his bio-electric aura, which protects him from some attacks and can be extended to protect others like in All Star Superman . In some versions, this power greatly retards his aging and increases as he gets older, sometimes rendering him effectively immortal . The epilogue to the Justice Society of America storyline "Thy Kingdom Come" (a sequel of sorts to the Kingdom Come limited series) showing Superman surviving 1,000 years into the future, albeit as a very elderly, hunched - over man . Another version in DC One Million lives through the 853rd Century, some 83,200 years from now, though he was living inside the sun for thousands of years before coming out, making him godlike in his abilities . Superman is frequently depicted as being virtually indestructible, however his solar aura will drain away if he takes too much damage . Normally this isn't an issue since exposure to sunlight will instantly refuel the aura, but as seen with his duel against Doomsday, if Superman is out of sunlight for too long his defensive abilities will deteriorate . Also, even under constant sunlight, it is possible for Superman to be injured by enemies comparable to his strength like other Kryptonians like Bizzaro, Zod, Superboy - Prime and Doomsday . </P> <P> Because Earth and the Sun exhibits less gravitational pull than that of Krypton, and also due to his solar - powered body, the Man of Steel can also alter his personal mono - directional gravity field to propel himself through the air at will . Originally, he only had the power to jump great distances, as stated by the 1940s Superman cartoons slogan "Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound ." This was also shown in the movie Man of Steel . His power of flight has ranged from simply being able to jump great distances using his vast strength, to beginning in late 1941 being able to accelerate, float in midair, and change direction while traveling . Later he became able to traverse interstellar distances without stopping . </P> <P> Enhanced physical strength far above that of a human and even most super-humans, making him "more powerful than a locomotive," is one of Superman's signature powers and has often been described as chief among his other abilities . Depictions of the upper limit of how much weight he can lift have ranged from being able to do the work of several laborers in half the time, crush diamonds in his grasp, lift objects hundreds of times his own weight including any sized vehicle over his head, bend steel with his bare hands, lifting mountains, and all the way up to in the Silver Age and Modern Age where he is seen moving entire planets . This makes him one of the strongest beings in the DC Universe . After being saturated with yellow solar energy in All - Star Superman, his strength was tested, and demonstrated to be sufficient to support over 200 quintillion tons (or 2x10 tons in scientific notation, i.e., two hundred billion billion tons); he held this much with one hand and he even said he feels like he can pick up more, enough to pull Earth away from the sun . As of The New 52 reboot, his strength now exceeds 5.972 sextillion metric tons, and he managed to do it in the absence of a sun for five consecutive days with only a single drop of sweat, leaving Superman asking for more, although this has been done before by the New Earth / Infinite Crisis Superman, when he moved the Earth away from the Sun against Starbreaker's force . On this occasion, he did have the assistance of the Green Lantern, however, it should be noted that Green Lantern only made a chain out of willpower and connected it to Earth, with Superman alone providing the actual pulling strength . It should also be noted that Superman from the Post-Crisis era can lift even heavier items like Mageddon (a mechanism that dwarfs the Sun) and the Book of Infinite Pages with the assistance of Shazam . Explanations include being adapted to the heavier gravity of Krypton, and his muscles using the power of the solar energy which fuels all his abilities . While in direct yellow sunlight, his strength can be augmented to incalculable and limitless levels . He has strength necessary to shatter entire worlds . </P>

Is superman's flight a feat of strength