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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 shout-out to Valancourt Books!
Have I mentioned how much I like Valancourt Books? A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed their reprint of a rare Gothic classic, The Animated Skeleton, and even got a nice comment from the publisher/editor of Valancourt. I vowed to … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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H.P. Lovecraft on Superstition
I’m in between blog major blog posts right now, but I thought I’d highlight another very timely essay of H.P. Lovecraft’s, in which he discusses superstition in times of trouble. This can be found in the excellent collection of Lovecraft’s … Continue reading
Posted in Lovecraft
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Another unintentionally funny news title
I went to work out a little while ago and turned on Headline News to catch up. Violence has unfortunately flared in Lebanon again, and a CNN news crew is caught in the middle. CNN likes to update the caption … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?
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Waiting for the ILL…
I feel like a kid again. When I was young, I scrupulously saved my ‘proof-of-purchase’ from all my Star Wars figures so that I could get the precious Boba Fett action figure, which could only be purchased through mail order. … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
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How high can you fall from?
My friend Personal Demon tipped me off to a potentially historic skydiving event that will be happening in roughly 17 days; Michel Fournier of France will attempt to break the record for the highest freefall. Ascending in a pressurized capsule … Continue reading
Update on my “challenge” to science bloggers
Now that I’ve actually written my “classic science” blog post, I realized I didn’t plan any way to compile all the entries in the end! If you accept the “challenge” (I keep putting the word in quotes because I don’t … Continue reading
Posted in General science
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Dean Koontz: Subtle patterns in the darkness
I haven’t done a “Horror Masters” post for a while, and it’s long past due! Even if you’ve never read a Dean Koontz novel, you’re familiar with his work. Airport bookstores are constantly stocked with his books; finding a horror … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Horror Masters
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Even airlines get it: slowing down saves fuel!
I just saw this article on CNN the other day: Planes slow down to save fuel. Apparently airlines are finally starting to feel the pinch of higher gas prices, and are learning that going at a slightly slower speed can … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Science news
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Classic Science Paper: Otto Wiener’s experiment (1890)
Update: In my haste to finish this “monster” post, I neglected to include an introduction to standing waves, an explanation which is crucial to understanding the experiment. That oversight has been corrected. A couple of weeks ago I issued a … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics, Physics
19 Comments
Iron Man: Pretty damn cool!
Me & the fiancée just got back from seeing Iron Man, and I gotta say: cool! A few observations: The director, Jon Favreau, is to Hollywood films what a closer is to a baseball team. At least, that’s what he’s … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment
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Skulls in the Stars 