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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
Wonderful views of Earth From Above
Boston.com has a wonderful collection of images from the Earth From Above exhibit, which has been put on display in various cities since 1994 and is coming to NYC. To quote the official website, Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s mission was to create … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, General science
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Dracula’s forefathers: Lord Ruthven, Varney and Carmilla
The depiction of the vampire which we see in most of contemporary horror fiction has its roots in Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897). Of course, vampires have lurked in the shadows of folklore through recorded history, and Stoker drew upon that … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
8 Comments
Don’t vote! Reverse psychology at its finest
Via Americablog, I found this wonderful video which lays down the importance of voting… by having Hollywood-types encouraging you not to vote! It’s nice to see a video which is entertaining and pointed simultaneously. Posting this video is my way … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
5 Comments
13 days until The Giant’s Shoulders #4!
The start of a new month means it’s time for a reminder that there’s 13 days until The Giant’s Shoulders #4, to be held on October 15th at Second Order Approximation. Entries can be submitted, as always, through blogcarnival.com. Get … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Physics, guitars and pitch harmonics
One of the fun parts about being a scientist is running across “day-to-day” phenomena which can be understood much better using a little bit of one’s knowledge. One of these I’ve had bouncing around in my head for a while: … Continue reading
Posted in Physics
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John W. Campbell Jr.’s Who Goes There?
I’ll be getting back to some physics posts this week — I promise! In the meantime, I thought I’d step away from reading old, old classic horror of the 19th century for a bit and look to a different era: … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Horror
6 Comments
Pictures of gas crisis in Soviet Carolinastan!
Yesterday I complained about the gas shortage that’s hitting parts of the southeast, including the western Carolinas, really hard. The Colonial Pipeline which provides the area with fuel has been operating at severely reduced capacity, because the refineries which feed … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?
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‘Fusion Man’ tools across the Channel
I’ve previously mentioned the exploits of Yves Rossy, aka “Fusion Man”, a daredevil who had successfully built and tested a jet-powered wing. Now, according to CNN, Rossy has taken a flight across the English Channel! The 22-mile flight from Calais … Continue reading
Posted in Sports
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Obama earns the crucial “Nobel Laureates in Science” demographic
Via ERV, I learn that a collection of 61 American Nobel Laureates in Science have gotten together to wholeheartedly endorse Barack Obama. Their “Open Letter to the American People” can be read here. It’s an impressive list. It is noted … Continue reading
Posted in Science news
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Stations, stations everywhere, but not a drop of gas
I’ve been a little distracted from blogging for the past week by the gas crisis that has settled slowly but inexorably over the region. Parts of the southeast have been in the midst of a massive gas shortage since Hurricane … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?
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Skulls in the Stars 