-
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
17 years of Skulls in the Stars!
Hi all! I’m still finishing the draft of my electromagnetic optics textbook, which I told the publisher I’d finish on Monday. So, as you might expect, that’s been consuming most of my attention lately and I haven’t had time to … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
3 Comments
The discovery of ultraviolet light
As some of you may know, I’ve been working on a textbook on Electromagnetic Optics for a year now, and am near the end of the process. In finishing it, I wrote an introductory chapter that reviews the whole electromagnetic … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics
Leave a comment
Just a small note!
Hi folks, I just realized I haven’t posted for a while, but there’s a good reason — I’m in the final month of finishing up a new textbook, which is due on August 15, so all of my writing energy … Continue reading
Memories of Emil Wolf
2024 marks the 65th anniversary of a significant milestone in optics: the publication of Principles of Optics by Max Born and Emil Wolf, a comprehensive book on physical optics that has been cited some 78,000 times in the scientific literature … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics, Personal
1 Comment
RIP Zoe, 2006-2024
It’s taken me a few days to write this post, as this hit me really hard. Two Tuesdays ago, June 4th, I had to say goodbye to my eldest cat Zoe. It has been such a hard loss that it … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
4 Comments
Horrorstör, by Grady Hendrix
Book 7 of my 26 books for 2024 goal! Getting closer to catching up. Okay, so this is one of those books that I’ve meant to read for years and never quite got around to! I came close about a year … Continue reading
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
Book 6 of my 26 books for 2024 goal! Way behind in reading now due to life, but working on it. One of my big hangups in life is that I suffer from “already seen it” syndrome, as I just made … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
Leave a comment
Robert Williams Wood and the mystery of anomalous dispersion (1901)
I’ve been hard at work in recent months on a new textbook on electromagnetic waves, and that has led me to dig deep into understanding a number of subjects, and their history, that I have only really casually considered in … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics, Physics
1 Comment
Me, talking falling felines in LiveScience!
Recently, I was interviewed for a LiveScience article about how cats land on their feet, and the article came out today! Here is the link for those who are interested in hearing me talk falling felines, yet again! PS just … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Physics
Leave a comment
Skulls in the Stars 