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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
Polybius, by Collin Armstrong
Book 24 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! Comfortably ahead with my reading. My link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy from there. Some books have … Continue reading
Queen of the Cicadas, by V. Castro
Book 23 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! Now a little ahead with my reading schedule. My link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy from there. … Continue reading
How Djadja-Em-Ankh Saved the Day, by Lise Manniche
Book 22 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! Now a little ahead with my reading schedule. With all the hubbub about The Odyssey in theaters the past few weeks, I decided to crack a joke on social … Continue reading
New popular science book from me is happening!
A bit of personal news: I’ve signed a contract for my next popular science book with the University of Chicago Press! My tentative title — subject to change — is “Booms, Beer, and Blood: The story of conservation of energy,” … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Personal
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Drones: now invisible, in a weird way!
Thanks to my friend Darlene for pointing me to this article! I’ve talked a lot about invisibility on this blog and have written papers on invisibility physics and even written a book on the history of invisibility physics, but still … Continue reading
Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle
Book 21 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! Now a little ahead with my reading schedule. My link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy from there. … Continue reading
Musings about the “many worlds” quantum hypothesis
Though my work is primarily in classical wave optics, I maintain an avid interest in quantum physics (see my posts here and here for example) and especially all the weird implications of it, including the various attempts to make the … Continue reading
Dungeon Crawl at the Haunted Mall, by Jendia Gammon
Book 20 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! On track with my reading! My link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy from there. This book was a … Continue reading
The Unfinished Business, by Stephanie Campisi
Book 19 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! On track with my reading! My link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy from there. I am continuing to … Continue reading
Strange Buildings, by Uketsu
Book 18 for my 2026 goal of 36 books for the year! On track with my reading! My link to the book is through my bookshop.org affiliate account, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy from there. It says a lot … Continue reading
Skulls in the Stars 