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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. -
Yearly Archives: 2011
Weird science facts, January 19 — January 25
I’m currently in the airport in San Francisco, waiting to get my flight back to Charlotte. I thought this would be a good time to post the past week’s Twitter #weirdscifacts! Hopefully life will settle down somewhat soon and I’ll … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
2 Comments
“Blogging on the career path” at ScienceOnline 2011
At the recent ScienceOnline 2011 meeting (#scio11), one of the panels I participated in was a “Blogging on the career path” with Sheril Kirshenbaum of The Intersection, Janet Stemwedel of Adventures in Ethics and Science, and John Hawks of his eponymous … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Personal
10 Comments
Weird science facts, January 12 — January 18
Just got back from ScienceOnline 2011 this week, and I’m hoping to put up a few posts about it over the next couple of days — as well as a few science posts! In the meantime, here are the Twitter … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
3 Comments
Use The Giant’s Shoulders #31 to start your day!
This edition of the history of science blog carnival carries a bit of a kick! The newly-revamped blog Morning Coffee Physics has posted the most excellent 31st edition of The Giant’s Shoulders. Many thanks to Jasper for putting together an … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
2 Comments
Weird science facts, January 5 – January 11
Here are the Twitter weird science facts for the week! 298. Jan 05: China’s treacherous Yellow River: est. 1.5k floods (millions killed) & 26 course changes in 2.6k years. The Yellow River is especially dangerous because of the high proportion … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
1 Comment
Post at Scientific American guest blog on invisibility!
For those wondering where my science-related posts have been these days, I have at least a partial answer: I have a guest post on the Scientific American guest blog on, “Invisibility: After several years of research, it’s just gotten weirder”! … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Optics
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4 days until the deadline for The Giant’s Shoulders #31!
There are just 4 days left until the deadline for the 31st edition of The Giant’s Shoulders, to be posted on the 16th of January at Morning Coffee Physics! Entries can be submitted through blogcarnival.com or directly to the host blog, … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Martin Cruz Smith’s Nightwing
It can take an author many years of writing to establish their own unique voice and style. Their early works are often a fascinating “what if” scenario, giving a glimpse of directions a well-known novelist may have alternatively taken. The … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Horror
3 Comments
With Open Lab, today was a book trifecta!
I will quickly wear out my welcome with all my self-patting-on-the-back, but I can’t help point out that today was in essence a book trifecta for me! I already mentioned receiving the first copy of my book in my previous … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Personal
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First copy of Mathematical Methods for Optical Physics and Engineering arrived!
This morning was a personal milestone for me: the very first copy of my new textbook, Mathematical Methods for Optical Physics and Engineering, arrived at my office! I’m very excited, obviously! The book is now available through Amazon.co.uk for those … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Personal
26 Comments
Skulls in the Stars 