-
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
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
Leave a comment
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
2 Comments
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
Leave a comment
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
11 Comments
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
Leave a comment
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
4 Comments
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
Leave a comment
Sad
The scene at San Jose International Airport, 5 am:
Posted in ... the Hell?, Travel
Leave a comment
Other blogging of Frontiers in Optics
By the way, if you’re looking for other blogging about the Frontiers in Optics meeting, there are 3 official bloggers this year, and they can be read here. I actually know Adam and Bob, and I’m absolutely convinced they’re trying … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Science news
Leave a comment
Frontiers in Optics: Monday
The main “act” on Monday at the conference was the Plenary Session/Awards Ceremony. Lots of scientists I’m familiar with (and whom I’ve met at one point or another) were given awards, including Joseph Goodman (known to students for his books … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Science news
3 Comments
Skulls in the Stars 