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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: March 2009
Relive the history of The Oregon Trail… the game!
I’m currently mulling over my next science blog post, which will hopefully be out soon. In the meantime, I had to point out this wonderful discovery via StumbleUpon: an Apple II emulator which allows one to play the classic educational … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment
8 Comments
University of Chicago undergraduates vs. Westboro Baptist!
I did my undergraduate work at the University of Chicago, and though I can vouch for the fact that we all took ourselves way too seriously in general, it turns out the kids there now are okay! The homophobic Westboro … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Religion, Silliness
3 Comments
Bertram Mitford’s The Weird of Deadly Hollow
I’ve been haunted by Bertram Mitford’s novel The Sign of the Spider (1896) ever since I read it (and blogged about it), so I thought the time was past due to investigate some of his other works. The next one … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Michael Faraday, grand unified theorist? (1851)
At long last, I get to blog about the paper that first piqued my interest about the research of Michael Faraday! If you haven’t been following my Faraday posts, let me give a quick recap: Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was one … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
9 Comments
SOS: Save Our (favorite) Shows!
The fiancée pointed out to me today that one of our new favorite shows, Life on Mars, will not be surviving to season 2. This is a real shame; though it was a remake of a classic UK show, we’d … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment
8 Comments
Some blogroll updates…
I finally got around to adding a few additional blogs to my blogroll, and thought I’d acknowledge them: White Coat Underground. I met PalMD at ScienceOnline09 and, in addition to him being one of those people I immediately liked and … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
8 Comments
Is it worse, or better, than a creationist on the school board?
Once again the folks at The Onion have demonstrated their satirical genius! They ‘report’ on an Arkham, MA school board member who is pushing to add the unspeakable, sanity-shattering dark arts to the curriculum: “Fools!” said West, his clenched fist … Continue reading
Posted in Lovecraft, Silliness
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Faraday brings light and magnetism together (1845)
The more I read of Michael Faraday’s work, the more I am in awe of the scientist’s insights and abilities. As evidence of the remarkable intuition he had regarding the forces of nature, consider the following passage: I have long … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics, Physics
14 Comments
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