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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
12 days until The Leviathan’s Shoulders #23!
There’s 12 days left to submit entries for the 23rd installment of The Giant’s Shoulders, a special edition dubbed “The Leviathan’s Shoulders”! It will be hosted by Kevin Zelnio over at Deep Sea News, and will be a special “oceans … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: Digital distractions, echos from a black hole, and peer-to-peer storage
Dealing With “Digital Distractions” in the Classroom. I’ve certainly wondered what the best approach is to students who are using laptops in the classroom! Krystal at Anthropology in Practice asks whether a blanket ban on them is the right approach. … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: fair chimps, cataclysmic variables, and marine sharpshooters
Chimpanzees Prefer Fair Play To Reaping An Unjust Reward. We’re often told that “life isn’t fair”, but certain of our primate relatives feel otherwise: Eric Michael Johnson in The Primate Diaries describes research that demonstrates that chimpanzees have a good … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Mathematical Methods for Optical Physics and Engineering on Amazon!
Couldn’t resist posting a short note that my textbook now has an Amazon page! The cover image hasn’t been added yet, so I may have to take matters into my own hands and put it up myself:
Posted in Personal
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Richard Matheson’s Shadow on the Sun
No matter how much Richard Matheson I’ve read — and I’ve read a lot — it always turns out that there’s a bit more out there that I’ve managed to miss! If you aren’t familiar with Richard Matheson‘s name, you’re … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: bulletproof T-shirts, spinning light, beauty for birds, and flocking folks
Bulletproof T-shirts? Who’da thought it was possible? Christie over at Observations of a Nerd discusses recent successful attempts to “bulletproof” T-shirts! Measuring the Angular Momentum of Light. Light can carry angular momentum, and therefore can impart a “twist” into objects … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Mythbustin’: 1808 edition (the incombustible man)
I swear that I’m not going through journals looking for old versions of the Mythbusters‘ experiments! After blogging about old scientific papers on myths such as “finger in the barrel” and “Archimedes death ray“, I figured I’d pretty much tapped … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science, History of science
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The Giant’s Shoulders #22 is up!
The Giant’s Shoulders #22 is up over at The Lay Scientist! Thanks to Martin for assembling it! The next edition is something of a special one: it will be hosted by Kevin Zelnio over at Deep Sea News, and will … Continue reading
Posted in General science
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One day left to submit “grand challenge” ideas to the White House!
My friend Damon over at Internal Reflections blog asked that I spread the word about this, as there is one day left to submit ideas. The easiest thing for me to do is quote him directly: Peter Emmel just notified … Continue reading
Posted in Science news
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Michelson and the President (1869)
I’m currently working my way through the book The Master of Light: a Biography of Albert A. Michelson (1973), written by one of his daughters, Dorothy Michelson Livingston. I typically find the beginnings of biographies to be rather slow-moving, with … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics
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Skulls in the Stars 