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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
A hiatus
My apologies to all, but I’ll be taking a brief hiatus from the blog. My kitty Zoe went in for a broken leg four weeks ago, and today we learned that the surgery wasn’t successful, and she’ll need to have … Continue reading
Halloween Treats: Corruption!
Ever since 2007, I’ve been sharing a list of classic horror stories free to read on the internet to provide some chills every Halloween season, and this year is no exception! The past couple of years, I decided it would … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Christine Campbell Thomson’s Not At Night (1925)
Another classic reblog for day 26 of Blogtober! I’ve still got a couple of new things I want to blog before the end of the month, so stay tuned! This one is a true rarity — Not at Night was … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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How to See Ghosts & Other Figments, by Orrin Grey
For day 25 of Blogtober I look at the most recent collection by a fun and talented author of weird fiction! The first time I came across Orrin Grey’s work, it wasn’t even his fiction — it was the introduction … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Weird fiction
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Jeff VanderMeer’s Finch
For day 24 of Blogtober, I look back at Jeff VanderMeer’s Finch! Most people probably know VanderMeer’s Southern Reach trilogy, but my favorite work of his is Finch, a story about a fictional city that has been occupied by a … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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What is quantum entanglement? Part 7: What does it all mean?
This is part 7 in a lengthy series of posts attempting to explain the idea of quantum entanglement to a non-physics audience. Part 1 can be read here, Part 2 can be read here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, and Part … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Laird Barron’s The Imago Sequence
Wouldn’t be a Blogtober if I didn’t give a shoutout to some of the incredible Laird Barron’s work! So for Blogtober day 23, I look back on Laird’s first short story compilation, The Imago Sequence, an incredible collection of horror … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Bertram Mitford’s The Sign of the Spider
Day 22 of Blogtober, I look at a very old horror/adventure novel by Bertram Mitford! This novel is fascinating because the protagonist is definitely an anti-hero, as he becomes a literal slaver. His journey is both a physical and a … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure fiction, Horror
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The Kind Folk, by Ramsey Campbell
Day 21 of Blogtober, and let’s look at another book I’ve had on my shelf forever and was only recently motivated to go back and read! Obviously, I’m a big fan of Ramsey Campbell’s work, and I endeavor to read … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Archie Roy’s Devil in the Darkness
For Blogtober day 20, I look back at another Valancourt Books reprint, and another book I wrote an intro for! Devil in the Darkness is a wonderful haunted house story written by an author who was both a professional astronomer … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Skulls in the Stars 