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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
Francis Stevens’ The Nightmare and Other Tales of Dark Fantasy
In my readings for this blog, I am constantly surprised by how many truly excellent authors and works of weird fiction have been (mostly) lost in the passage of time. Fortunately, a number of publishers have valiantly taken up the … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Weird fiction
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Happy birthday to Bruce Davison!
I’m out of town for a few days, and likely posting light, but I had to put in a short “happy birthday” to actor Bruce Davison! Davison, who has a distinguished air about him that screams, “upper echelon”, is often … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment
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Oh, the things I hear
Overheard at the airport this morning, part of a conversation between two older ladies: “She’s really pretty. She has beautiful teeth.”
Posted in ... the Hell?
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A REAL problem for modern universities
There have been a lot of people of late who have offered suggestions for “improving” the university system, mainly by putting the blame on the faculty. There’s been criticism that the educational system produces “dull” scientists, and the more-or-less perennial … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?
2 Comments
Yet another phishing fail
Sure, phishing emails are annoying as hell, but they’re often so badly planned out that at least I can drag some entertainment out of them, as well. I’ve posted some of my favorites before, namely the generic university phishing attempt … Continue reading
In defense of those “dull” scientists
The other day, Chad at Uncertain Principles linked to a very odd argument on the site Medical Hypotheses: “Why are modern scientists so dull? How science selects for perseverance and sociability at the expense of intelligence and creativity”, by Bruce … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science
13 Comments
Best wishes to Eric
As a short personal note, my very good friend Eric is in the hospital today for what is considered a “minor” heart surgery. Eric has been a good friend for many years and, without his support and friendship, I arguably … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
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The Linkin’ Log: June 21, 2009
Today seemed like a good day to point out a few interesting tidbits I’ve happened across on the ‘tubes. In no particular order, Tom at Swans on Tea linked to a very cool video demonstrating a genuine magnetic levitation train … Continue reading
Posted in General science
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Invisibility physics: Hiding and seeking, all at once!
When the first papers on the idea of a “cloaking” device came out in 2006, lots of people were immediately worried that the CIA would soon be peering right over their shoulder from the shelter of invisibility cloaks. Many scientists, … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Optics
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Newton and the Counterfeiter available!
I must have been daydreaming for a few days, because I failed to notice until now that Thomas Levenson’s book Newton and the Counterfeiter has been released! This history of science book describes in detail a little-known chapter in the … Continue reading
Posted in General science
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Skulls in the Stars 