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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
Dircks and Pepper: A Tale of Two Ghosts
Sharing another classic history of science post from the archives! This one is about the rather heated history of the illusion known as Pepper’s Ghost.
Posted in History of science
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Ruby Payne-Scott and the mystery of sunspots
Another reblog from my large history of science archive, just for fun!
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Optics, rain and car headlights!
Thought I’d start reblogging some of my old physics posts that I enjoy, so here’s one from 2022 on why you always think your headlights are off when it’s raining at night!
Posted in Physics
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The most beautiful wrong equation in history (1841)
One of the topics of the history of science that has continued to fascinate me is the discovery of the principle of conservation of energy. As I discussed in my three-part series “Booms, Blood, and Beer” (part 1, part 2, … Continue reading
Alone, by Brian Keene
Book 29 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Near the “official” end of my book goal for the year, well ahead … Continue reading
Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring, by Patrick Zercher
Book 28 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Not long ago, Titan comics sent me a review copy of a recent … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure fiction, Robert E. Howard
Tagged book-reviews, books, comic-books, comics, fantasy
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Halloween Treats 2025: Haunted Houses!
Every year since I’ve started this blog, I’ve published a few classic open access stories of horror for the Halloween season! In recent years, I’ve started to make a theme for each year. This year, the theme is “haunted houses,” … Continue reading
Lucky Day, by Chuck Tingle
Book 27 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Chuck Tingle honestly has yet to disappoint in even the slightest. His latest … Continue reading
My appearances on Artologica and BBC Crowdscience!
Recently I’ve made a couple of appearances outside of my blog talking about science and I thought I would share them here! First, I collaborated with my artist friend Michele on a post talking about the optics of shimmering interference … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Personal
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Skulls in the Stars 