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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
Fake Book Titles Extravaganza #2!
You may recall the big post I did back in December in which I shared a bunch of fake book titles that I had made and shared on twitter? Well, I’ve kept doing those fake titles regularly ever since then, … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Silliness
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A visit to Orchids by Hausermann
I haven’t written a blog post for over a month, so I thought I should stop in and do something! I’ve had quite a few ups and downs in life over that month, as well as some travel and a … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Personal, Travel
3 Comments
The Dragon Corps, by Natalie Grey
One thing I really enjoy about being on twitter is meeting and learning about authors that I might otherwise not have encountered in my rather limited experience. These experiences are pretty much always rewarding, and the same is true with … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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Last night’s “Super Blood Moon”: a photo essay
So last night was anopportunity for folks on the East Coast of the United States to see a relatively rare event: a lunar eclipse! Hyped as a “Super Blood Moon” (we’ll get to that in a moment), it took place … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Physics
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The City and the Stars, by Arthur C. Clarke
I have such a big backlog of books to blog about — even though I’ve been struggling to focus on reading for fun! But there are so many good books that I’ve read, from a variety of eras and writers, … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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Fake Book Titles Extravaganza!
I blame my twitter friend Bhaal_Spawn. One Friday, a couple of months ago, she joined into a #FakeBookTitleFriday hashtag, in which one Photoshops new (and silly) titles onto covers of old books that are otherwise suggestive. Her thread can be … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Silliness
6 Comments
History of the Conservation of Energy: Booms, Blood, and Beer (Part 2)
Part 2 of a trilogy of posts describing the history of the discovery of conservation of energy, inspired by my research on “Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics.” Part 1 can be read here. In 1798, Count Rumford presented the first … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Dreadnought, by April Daniels
A young girl, who is alienated from her friends and family because she feels she must hide who she truly is, witnesses a battle between the world’s greatest superhero, Dreadnought, and a mysterious powerful new enemy. In the end, Dreadnought … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure fiction, Science fiction
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Way of the Worm, by Ramsey Campbell
Over the summer, I blogged about the first two books in the “Three Births of Daoloth” trilogy by Ramsey Campbell, an ambitious work of cosmic horror that spans decades and follows the struggles of Dominic Sheldon against a family that … Continue reading
History of the Conservation of Energy: Booms, Blood, and Beer (Part 1)
Another post inspired by my research into my Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics book! Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but merely converted from one form to another. Such is a typical statement of the law of conservation of energy, … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Skulls in the Stars 