-
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
Incarnate, by Ramsey Campbell
Book 6 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! Running a little behind but should be able to make it up pretty easily. As usual, my link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account, which means … Continue reading
New falling cat paper just dropped!
So I’m now known as the falling cat physics guy, thanks to writing a popular science book on the history of scientists studying how cats land on their feet (“cat turning”) that you may or may not have heard of! … Continue reading
Conan the Barbarian: A Nest of Serpents, by Jim Zub
Book 5 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! As usual, my link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account. My blogging is at the happy point where I occasionally get copies of books to … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy fiction, Robert E. Howard
Tagged books, comics, fantasy, reviews, writing
Leave a comment
Hothouse, by Brian Aldiss
Book 4 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! Could only find this book available on Amazon this time. Been digging through my collection of unread books looking for something different to read and recently the book … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
Tagged book review, book-reviews, books, Fiction, science fiction
8 Comments
The Berserker Throne, by Fred Saberhagen
Book 3 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! Today, I can oddly only link to the audiobook on Bookshop.org, since it is an old book and largely out of print. I’ve been slowly reading the Berserker … Continue reading
On Whetsday, by Mark Sumner
Book 2 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. One joy of being active on social media — in the midst … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
Tagged book review, book-reviews, books, Fiction, science fiction
Leave a comment
What is an optical caustic?
Here’s another post based on the revisions I’m making for the second edition of my Singular Optics textbook! Caustics are a subject that I’ve sort of casually understood for ages but never well enough to explain it, but book work … Continue reading
Our new paper on invisibility physics!
So I’ve written a lot about the physics of invisibility on this blog and have even written a popular science book on the subject, but many people may not know that I also still occasionally do some research on invisibility … Continue reading
I am a 2026-2027 Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer!
Just wanted to drop a little personal news and add it to my record of stuff: I was chosen to be a Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer for 2026-2027! I had applied early last year and though I was chosen I … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Personal
5 Comments
Twelve Nights at Rotter House, by J.W. Ocker
Book 1 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. I seem to be on a bit of a haunted house kick … Continue reading
Skulls in the Stars 