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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
Henry Kuttner’s Elak of Atlantis
I’m a complete sucker for sword-and-sorcery fantasy, and actually I’ve written a significant amount of it for my own amusement. Of course, the true master, and really the originator of the genre, is Robert E. Howard, whose Conan stories are … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy fiction, Robert E. Howard
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12 days until The Giant’s Shoulders #5!
It’s time again to remind folks that the deadline for entries for the next edition of The Giant’s Shoulders are due in 12 days! This edition will be held at Podblack Blog on November 15th. Entries can be submitted through … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Happy Halloween! Some stories to go to bed with…
Though I listed some good Halloween reading a few days ago, I couldn’t resist suggesting a few more! I’m sure most people will be heading to bed soon, so here’s a few bedtime-themed stories to think about while falling asleep. … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Optics basics: Inverse problems
In previous posts, I’ve talked at some length about computed tomography (CT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Each of these is a technique for determining information about the internal structure of an object, such as the human body, from exterior … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Optics, Optics basics
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Aaaagh! Attack of the work-week!
Just a brief apology about the lack of science posts this week. Work has been crazy: on top of trying to catch up on all the class stuff I ignored while I was at the OSA meeting last week, I’ve … Continue reading
Bertram Mitford’s The Sign of the Spider
It’s hard to find out information about author Bertram Mitford (1855-1914). Even Wikipedia doesn’t have information about him, instead redirecting to another Bertram Mitford who wrote about Japan. He was, like H. Rider Haggard, a writer of adventure stories set … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure fiction, Horror
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I voted! Early!
Well, it took 1 1/2 hours, but I got my early voting in! And I didn’t get tricked by the abysmal design of the NC ballot. For me, the occasion was chock full of symbolism and happy coincidences. When I … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Politics
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Halloween Treats, 2008
It’s time for my yearly installment of classic horror stories for some good Halloween chills! My 2007 edition can be found here. Happy reading, and Happy Halloween! The Dead Valley, Ralph Adams Cram. A man recounts a tale from his … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Letchworth State Park: The panoramas
I mentioned in my post on Letchworth that I had a bunch of panorama photos to put together when I got home, and I’ve done so! They’re posted below…
Posted in Travel
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John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids (1951)
This continues my brief foray into 1950s/1960s horror/science fiction, which I started with John W. Campbell’s Who Goes There?, which was the source for The Thing From Another World and John Carpenter’s The Thing. Today let’s talk triffids! A couple … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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