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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
Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics, available now!!!
Unexpectedly, it turns out that my new popular science book, Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics, has been released earlier than expected! Folks are already getting their copies in the mail! So if you’ve been waiting to order it until it … Continue reading
Haunted Houses from Valancourt Books!
It’s that spooky time of year, when I hunt down classic ghost and horror stories freely available on the internet and post them for your reading enjoyment! Currently working on that post, but I thought in the meantime I would … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Part 10
Okay, this post will catch me up with all my old school D&D posts that I’ve been doing on twitter! I’ll still be doing them, but will do them less frequently, only after I’ve got a handful from twitter to … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Fantasy fiction
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October reading: A Night in the Lonesome October
So I semi-regularly blog about books on this site, and my usual strategy is to read the book and then write a blog post about it. For October, I’m going to be a little different! Over the month, I’m going … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Personal
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What a Scientific Englishman thinks of Scientific Americans (1874)
Things are a little crazy here in the United States right now, so as a pick-me-up of sorts, I thought I would share this charming article that appeared in the January 30, 1874 issue of Scientific American: “What a Scientific … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Women in science
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Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Part 9
I have almost caught up with all the old school Dungeons & Dragons posts I’ve been doing on twitter! So, without further ado, here’s part 9! Die, Vecna, Die! (2000), by Bruce R. Cordell and Steve Miller. This module has … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Fantasy fiction
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Effects of explosions on the ear (1887)
Here’s another blog post inspired, in part, by my work on my upcoming book on Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics! When we discuss our ideal impressions of science, we often imagine repeatedly doing laboratory experiments in which every variable is … Continue reading
Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics in Five Languages!
Some exciting news to share: it turns out that my upcoming book on Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics will be translated into five languages so far! In case you missed the lovely cover image before, here it is again, for … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal, Physics
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Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Part 8
It’s a quiet night, and I’m feeling great, so here’s old school D&D, part 8! Chronomancer (1995), by Loren Coleman. Chronomancer is one of the oddest AD&D supplements I’ve come across yet, and highlights how much TSR was willing to … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Fantasy fiction
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Old School Dungeons & Dragons: Part 7
Almost caught up on my old school Dungeons & Dragons posts from twitter! So here’s part 7! UK4: When a Star Falls (1984), by Graeme Morris. We start today with another of the UK-produced modules, which tend to have a … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Fantasy fiction
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Skulls in the Stars 