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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
Invisibility demos at UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo!
This past Sunday, I participated once again in the annual UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo, in which faculty, staff and partners present science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics demonstrations and as well as demos highlighting the links between them. Last … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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Twice as Dead, by Harry Turtledove
Book 14 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! Hard-boiled detective stories often start in a similar manner: a gritty private investigator has a gorgeous dame walk through his office door with a case — but that … Continue reading
Posted in Mystery/thriller, Weird fiction
Tagged book review, book-reviews, books, mystery, reviews
4 Comments
Nicol invents a polarizing prism (1828)
I’ve talked a lot about polarization recently, including the story of how the best polarizing material was discovered on accident and how modern polarizers made from that material really changed science and technology in a major way. Along the way, … Continue reading
My “Why I Love Horror” story!
The other day, I happened to see that my social media friend and super talented horror author Brian Keene is a contributor to a book of essays called Why I Love Horror, coming in September of this year. The book … Continue reading
Donate to support kitty Mitzi’s cancer surgery!
Hi all, my kitty Mitzi goes into surgery tomorrow to remove a cancerous growth on her nose. My impression from the surgeon and oncologist is that the outlook looks good for her, with no spread of the cancer elsewhere yet. … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
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Now a Bookshop.org affiliate!
Hi all, this is just a short message to note that I decided to become a Bookshop.org affiliate! For those not familiar, Bookshop.org is a relatively new (2020) online bookshop whose mission is “”to financially support local, independent bookstores” as a … Continue reading
Physical copies of Electromagnetic Optics are now available!
This post is primarily aimed at optics students and researchers, so feel free to ignore otherwise! I wanted to let folks know that my textbook on Electromagnetic Optics is now available in physical copies through sites like Bookshop.org! Here are … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Personal
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Polaroid: the game-changing optical technology (1938)!
Some technology is so pervasive and mundane in modern society that it is hard to comprehend what a seismic shift its introduction caused in civilization. Examples I can think of are refrigerators and air conditioning, but in science an example … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics
Tagged astronomy, nature, photography, Physics, science
2 Comments
Prince of Annwn, by Evangeline Walton
Book 13 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! A few weeks ago I visited some friends in Rochester and, as always, that was a good opportunity to play some boardgames and snoop around on their bookshelves … Continue reading
Skulls in the Stars 