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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Monthly Archives: November 2007
Passing the halfway point, and I’m ahead!
Well, yesterday marked the halfway point of November, and I managed to make and pass my NaNoWriMo goal of 25,000 words total by the end of the day, and even go past it. I was a little behind during the … Continue reading
Ghost cat!
Can I combine catblogging and horror blogging? I’m going to try! The past couple of nights, I’ve sensed a restless presence in my home. I’ve heard strange sounds and seen motion out of the corner of my eye. At last, … Continue reading
Optics basics: What is a wave? Part II: Interference
In the first part of my series on ‘What is a wave?’, I attempted to give a broad definition of a wave, so that we can identify them when we see them. In this part, I will address two of … Continue reading
Richard Matheson: The horrors next door
On December 15, a new action/horror film starring Will Smith will hit theatres: I Am Legend. The movie is based on a novella of the same name, written by the most famous horror author you’ve never heard of. This ‘Masters … Continue reading
Monday catblogging… Zoe’s eyes!
Well, our new family addition seems to be doing well. Zoe is just a real charmer! I brought Zoe to my girlfriend’s place over the weekend to introduce Zoe to her two bad kitties, and for the most part things … Continue reading
Subtle, unsettling horror: Picnic at Hanging Rock (updated)
I’m constantly amazed at how many really good films exist, even in a relatively narrow genre like horror, that I’m completely unaware of. A few months ago I stumbled across a description of Peter Weir’s 1975 film Picnic at Hanging … Continue reading
Democratic profiles in courage: the Mukasey confirmation
Sarcasm doesn’t translate well to text, so let me say it right out: I’m being sarcastic. Michael Mukasey, the controversial attorney general candidate who refused to classify waterboarding as torture, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday. Let’s allow Democratic … Continue reading
Freedom: It doesn’t mean what Bush thinks it means
Okay, this is simply a bit of a rant, but I can’t help myself. Yesterday, Bush held a press conference with the French president. On being asked about the situation in Iraq, and a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops, … Continue reading
Optics basics: What is a wave? Part I (updated)
As I’ve mentioned a number of times before, my optics specialty is physical optics, which is the study of the wave properties of light. In order to understand those wave properties, however, it is important to understand what a ‘wave’ … Continue reading
Monday catblogging… ’cause I just got the cat!
Well, I broke down and adopted a kitty this weekend! Not the one hanging out on my doorstep, who disappeared for a number of days and reappeared being fed by one of the neighbors (but who reappeared at my doorstep … Continue reading
Skulls in the Stars 