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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
The first glimmer of a nuclear Sun: radium and solar energy (1903)
While researching a recent post on the history of nuclear physics (here), I happened across a short but rather fascinating letter written in 1903. It seems to be the first article in print that makes the connection between the processes … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: the artful dodge, ancient drugs, supermassive black holes and quantum spin
“Dr. SkySkull” selects several notable posts each week from a miscellany of ResearchBlogging.org categories. He blogs at Skulls in the Stars. The ‘artful dodge’: The danger of a smooth talker. These results could explain pretty much all of politics! Rita … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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The Giant’s Shoulders #30 is out!
The Giant’s Shoulders #30 is now out at Whewell’s Ghost, and is A (Scientific) Christmas Carol! Many thanks to Rebekah Higgitt for hosting and putting together a lovely carnival! The next edition is tentatively scheduled to be hosted at Morning Coffee … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Weird science facts, December 8-December 14
Here are the Twitter #weirdscifacts for December 8th through December 14th! 270. Dec 08: Amazing trip of Isabel Godin des Odonais c. 1769 through the Amazon in search of her naturalist husband! (via@DrBondar‘s interview w/ Dr. Frederickson.) Isabel’s husband had traveled … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Richard Marsh’s A Second Coming
I’ve discussed the works of Richard Marsh (1857-1915) quite often on this blog; he was a British-born author of horror and thrillers, and was stunningly successful at it in his time. His most famous novel was his breakout supernatural story … Continue reading
Posted in Religion, Weird fiction
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: lost language, redefining Great Britain, solar powered hornets, and meeting the Milky Way!
“Dr. SkySkull” selects several notable posts each week from a miscellany of ResearchBlogging.org categories. He blogs at Skulls in the Stars. At a Loss for Words: Modern Lessons From a Lost Language. This year, a 17th century letter in Peru … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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What scientists in 1903 wanted for Christmas!
For most scientists, the arrival of new equipment can feel a lot like getting toys on Christmas day. There’s the excitement of opening the package, the giddy thrill of discovery of what the equipment can do, followed by an almost … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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The Nature of Human Nature, by Carin Bondar
In recent months, I’ve been trying to make a more concerted effort to read and review the flurry of science books being published by the excellent bloggers and twitterers out there. A couple of months ago, I picked up Written in … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, General science
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Weird science facts, December 1-December 7
Here are the Twitter #weirdscifacts for December 1st through December 7th! 263. Dec 01: While developing the bubble chamber c. 1950, physicist Donald Glaser tested early prototypes filled with beer. Bubble chambers are used in high-energy physics to detect and … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Editor’s selections: flying snakes, wormholes, metallic glasses and hungry crabs
“Dr. SkySkull” selects several notable posts each week from a miscellany of ResearchBlogging.org categories. He blogs at Skulls in the Stars. Running a little late this evening — end of semester grading is overwhelming my days! Here are my Monday’s … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Skulls in the Stars 