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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
Boo! The optics behind “ghost” imaging
Halloween seemed like the perfect time to talk about an unconventional sort of optical imaging, referred to as “ghost” imaging. I should point out at the beginning, however, that I’m not talking about this sort of ghost imaging: Don’t get … Continue reading
Posted in Optics
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Halloween treats 2009
It’s time again for my yearly dose of Halloween chills, courtesy of some classic horror stories! The 2007 edition can be found here, and the 2008 edition can be found here. Have a happy Halloween! The Willows, Algernon Blackwood. This … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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The “curse” of success in science
(This post may seem like boasting just as much as it seems like complaining, for which I apologize in advance.) Those who are regular readers of this blog may have noticed that things have been a little quiet again for … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: autumn leaves, relativistic rockets, galaxy-size telescopes, and human origins
Fall Colors and Autumn Leaves. Before you go out to view the fall foliage this year, take a look at this post by David Bradley at SciScoop Science Forum! Researchers are seeking an explanation as to why leaves in the … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Lord Rayleigh on Darwin
There are lots of fascinating connections one can uncover by browsing the history of science. In my search for Lord Rayleigh’s invisibility research, I happened across a paper titled, “Insects and the colours of flowers,” published in Nature 11 (1874), … Continue reading
Posted in General science, History of science
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ScienceOnline 2010!
As Bora has noted, registration for ScienceOnline 2010 is now open — and I’ll be there! I was worried for a bit, because interest in the conference is high, and there are limited spots available, but I managed to get … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Science news
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The Man Who Rocked the Earth, by Arthur Train and Robert Williams Wood
A few posts ago, I noted that physicist R.W. Wood was one of the earliest scientists to contemplate issues of invisibility. While researching his work, I noted that he was also a science fiction author, having penned two books with … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: placebos, climate change, and charge-shift bonds
This week’s posts all got me thinking about familiar ideas in a whole new light: Deconstructing the placebo. The placebo effect is so well-known that it is almost taken for granted at times. However, it is known that placebos have … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Frontiers in Optics: T,W,Th
One of the things that happens to me as the years go by is that I spend less time at meetings listening to talks and more time talking to friends and colleagues and planning new research collaborations. From discussions with … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Science news
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The Giant’s Shoulders #16 is up!
The sixteenth edition of The Giant’s Shoulders is up at Quiche Moraine! A hearty thanks to Greg for assembling it! The deadline for the next edition is November 15th, and it will be held at The Primate Diaries. Entries can … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Skulls in the Stars 