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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. -
Author Archives: skullsinthestars
A Haunting on the Hill, by Elizabeth Hand
Book 31 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year — I managed to squeeze one more in before the new year! My goal for 2026 will be 36 books, so off I go on a new quest starting tomorrow. … Continue reading
Infinite singularities in an optical beam???
Working on the second edition of my Singular Optics textbook and thought I would blog about some of the fun developments in the field that I’ve come across while doing the book research! Light has wave properties, and as a … Continue reading
By the Hands of Fools, by Grace Mathis
Book 30 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year — I MADE MY GOAL! Now I’ll probably read a couple of additional books by the end of the year to get ahead and prep for my 36 book … Continue reading
Fake Book Titles Extravaganza, Part 9!
It’s time to compile all my fake book titles from social media again! You can see compilation 1, compilation 2, compilation 3, compilation 4, compilation 5, compilation 6, compilation 7 and compilation 8 at the links. It’s been a while since I really indulged in this, largely due … Continue reading
1975: The year that quantum mechanics met gravity (from the archives)
Another post from the archives while I work on new stuff!
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Dircks and Pepper: A Tale of Two Ghosts
Sharing another classic history of science post from the archives! This one is about the rather heated history of the illusion known as Pepper’s Ghost.
Posted in History of science
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Ruby Payne-Scott and the mystery of sunspots
Another reblog from my large history of science archive, just for fun!
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Optics, rain and car headlights!
Thought I’d start reblogging some of my old physics posts that I enjoy, so here’s one from 2022 on why you always think your headlights are off when it’s raining at night!
Posted in Physics
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The most beautiful wrong equation in history (1841)
One of the topics of the history of science that has continued to fascinate me is the discovery of the principle of conservation of energy. As I discussed in my three-part series “Booms, Blood, and Beer” (part 1, part 2, … Continue reading
Alone, by Brian Keene
Book 29 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Near the “official” end of my book goal for the year, well ahead … Continue reading
Skulls in the Stars 