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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
Optics basics: surface plasmons
My goal in my “basics” series of posts is not just to introduce the most elementary topics in optical science, but also to give background on some of the more advanced concepts for future reference. Much of my own research, … Continue reading
Posted in Optics basics
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: the Peruvian coffee paradox, galactic positioning, going green, the Alpine Fault, and hurricane plankton
“Dr. SkySkull” selects several notable posts each week from a miscellany of ResearchBlogging.org categories. He blogs at Skulls in the Stars. Peruvian Coffee: Matching Consumption With Production. Though Peru makes and exports awesome coffee around the world, locals primarily drink … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Henry Kuttner’s The Well of the Worlds
Have I mentioned how much I love Henry Kuttner’s writing? I’ve reviewed quite a few of his books here — Elak of Atlantis, Thunder Jim Wade, The Time Axis, Destination Infinity — and have greatly enjoyed all of them. Kuttner … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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The Giant’s Shoulders #27 is out!
The Giant’s Shoulders #27 is up over at Entertaining Research, the third year in a row that Guru has hosted it there! He has put together a delectable assortment of tasty history of science posts; go check them out! (And … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Weird science facts, June 20-July 03
The Twitter #weirdscifacts from June 20 – July 03 are below the fold!
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Vote for kitty Sasha!
I can’t resist doing a mini-bleg: vote for our kitty Sasha as cutest pet in the American Express Cutest Pet Photo Contest! The pic you’re looking for is: Voting runs to 10/1/2010, and you can vote every day for Sasha! … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: wee beer beasties, war mathematics, guillotines for snow, and nematode bomb sniffers
“Dr. SkySkull” selects several notable posts each week from a miscellany of ResearchBlogging.org categories. He blogs at Skulls in the Stars. Spontaneous fermentation: the role of microorganisms in beer. The brewing of beer by necessity employs the action of microorganisms, … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Kitty fostering success!
Almost two weeks ago, I noted the arrival of two foster kitties in our home: Brewster and Breyer! Well, I’m happy to say that we dropped them off at their new hopefully “forever home” this evening! This was all done … Continue reading
Whittaker breaks the irony meter (1910/1953)
I’m currently working my way through E.T. Whittaker‘s monumental A History of the Theories of Aether and Electricity (1910), among other things. Whittaker’s book is a very comprehensive study of electricity and aether that stretches back from the seventeenth century … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science, Physics
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R.W. Wood’s lecture demonstrations (1897-1905)
With all the concerted efforts into popularizing science that goes on these days, it is quite easy to forget that some of the best scientists throughout history put a lot of effort into making their knowledge accessible both to students … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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