-
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
Paintings I Love, Painting Is Love: A Storify
Somewhat despairing of all the relentlessly bad news in politics and the world, today I decided to post a series of beautiful paintings on twitter as a bit of an antidote. I invited anyone else to offer their own favorites, … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Personal
Leave a comment
10 years of Skulls in the Stars
I’ve been traveling a bit again lately and been rather busy with work, so I haven’t had much time to blog. I wanted to acknowledge, however, a rather significant milestone of this site: today officially marks the ten year anniversary … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Personal
1 Comment
John Blackburn’s A Book of the Dead
If you’ve read my blog enough, you know that I occasionally write introductions for volumes released by the excellent Valancourt Books, in particular a lot of introductions to the work of the late John Blackburn (1923-1993), master of horror and … Continue reading
Posted in Mystery/thriller, Personal
1 Comment
Dr. SkySkull in Rome: Colosseo and Palatino
Part 3 of a series of photo essays on my recent trip to Rome. Part 1 can be read here, and Part 2 can be read here. We got up early on day 3 in Rome to head to the Colosseum. … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, History of science, Personal, Travel
1 Comment
Swift to Chase, by Laird Barron
(Taking a short break from entanglement and Rome posts to catch up on some fiction blogging!) Laird Barron is, in my humble opinion, one of the most talented authors of horror fiction working today, and will be regarded historically as … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
Leave a comment
Dr. SkySkull in Rome: Working and walking
Part 2 of a series of photo essays on my recent trip to Rome. Part 1 can be read here. Day 2 of our Rome trip was a combination of work and vacation. The choice of Rome as a destination … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Travel
2 Comments
Dr. SkySkull in Rome: Walking the city
My recent trip to Europe was officially work-related, as I was an “opponent” in a PhD defense for a student of my former postdoc advisor in Amsterdam. We decided some time ago, however, to add a trip to Rome … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Travel
3 Comments
Dr. SkySkull in Amsterdam: Optics in the Rijksmuseum
The lower level of the Rijksmuseum, an area relatively few time-strapped visitors manage to visit, is reserved for more practical forms of art: musical instruments, ceramics, ship figureheads, weapons, and the like. I explored this whole area on my recent … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, History of science, Optics, Travel
2 Comments
Dr. SkySkull in Amsterdam: A silly tour of the Rijksmuseum
I’ve been rather quiet lately because of work and travel! A bit over a week ago, I flew to Amsterdam to participate in a PhD defense, and then traveled to Rome to give a talk and tour the city, which … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
2 Comments
Agents of Dreamland, by Caitlin R. Kiernan
Taking a brief break from posts on quantum entanglement — will be back with more on that subject soon! Meanwhile… Caitlin R. Kiernan is a brilliant writer. This is an indisputable fact. Several years ago, I blogged about her beautiful, … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
Leave a comment
Skulls in the Stars 