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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
Salvage in Space, by Jack Williamson
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Yep, I’ve still got more invisibility stories to discuss! In fact, I found 4 more through searching old magazines today. Reminder that I’ll have a book on the history of invisibility physics coming…
Posted in Invisibility
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Musings on the “TikTok Mirror Mystery”
So I wasn’t going to comment on this trend that’s been going around on TikTok for a few weeks, but I am an optical physicist so I probably should say something about it — and in fact, I would like … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Optics
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The Radiant Shell, by Paul Ernst
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Another invisibility story! The number and variety of stories continues to amaze me. You know what we haven’t really seen yet? A good invisible spy story! “Raiders Invisible” came close, but its invisible…
Posted in Invisibility
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The Attack From Space, by Captain S.P. Meek
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Yet another blog post about invisibility in fiction! Just as a reminder, this is to celebrate the completion of my book draft on the history of invisibility physics, coming next year (I hope).…
Posted in Invisibility
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Beyond the Spectrum, by Arthur Leo Zagat
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Yet another post of invisibility fiction, driven by all the stories I found while researching my invisibility book! Here we have a curious case: an invisibility story written by a lawyer-turned-author, Arthur Leo…
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The Invisible Robinhood, by Eando Binder
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Okay, this story seemed at first to be a pretty silly and stupid invisibility tale, but it leads down a fascinating historical rabbit hole. So follow along… The setting: the city, late at…
Posted in Invisibility
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Beyond Power of Man, by Paul Ernst
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Continuing my run of stories of invisibility to celebrate finishing the draft of my book on the history and physics of invisibility! I probably should’ve waited to do this until my book is…
Posted in Invisibility
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“Invisibility” reviewed by The New York Times!
Just wanted to post a quick note that my book on Invisibility now has a New York Times book review! It seems… not bad? 🙂 A short sample of the review: Gbur, a professor of physics and optical science at … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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Terrors Unseen, by Harl Vincent
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Yet another invisibility story! So many invisibility stories. So, in the list of stories we’ve looked at so far, we’ve seen invisible people, invisible monsters, invisible buildings, invisible cars, invisible dogs, and invisible…
Posted in Invisibility
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A hare-y puzzle solved!
One of the really neat things about diving deep into a scientific problem is that you start to spot surprising things in images or videos that nobody else would see! My book on Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics got me … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Physics
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