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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
Halloween Treats 2015
Once again it’s time to post a collection of “Halloween Treats”: classic ghost and horror stories to be read in the dark of night! I’ve been doing this since 2007, and you can read the old editions here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Optical rogue waves at American Scientist!
Been quite busy lately, but I wrote a blog post on recent research on rogue waves, the rare killers of the sea, at American Scientist, which appeared this week! A snippet: Until these discoveries, such rogues were thought to be … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Physics
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Jennifer Foehner Wells’ Fluency
Been away from blogging for a while due to work and stress — going to start catching up on my book blogging! A massive, mysterious alien craft is spotted in solar system, seemingly dormant. A team of scientists and astronauts … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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My Google Hangout Seminar on Invisibility Physics!
In lieu of more substantial writing on the blog, here’s a link to another presentation I gave! I was invited to give a Google Hangout Seminar at the University of Central Arkansas on “How Not to be Seen: The History … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Optics, Personal
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The Muslimoclockobomb conspiracy: connecting the dots
By now, you have all no doubt heard about 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed, who brought a home-made “clock” to his Texas school to show to his engineering teacher and was arrested when he was unable to explain why it was not a bomb … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Silliness
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“Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics” Presentation!
For the new student convocation at UNCC this year, I was asked to give a “Thinking Matters” presentation for the new freshmen, in which I talk about some sort of interesting topic to, well, get the students thinking and excited … Continue reading
Robert R. McCammon’s The Border
It’s nice to see Robert McCammon return to writing weird horror novels! From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, McCammon was one of the best writers of the dark and weird out there; some time ago I blogged about … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Science fiction
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8-year blogiversary!
Just a short note: August 14th marked the 8-year anniversary of my first post on this blog! My first post, on August 14th, 2007, was titled “Educate or bust,” and that still kind of exemplifies what I’m trying to do … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
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“Secrets of the Universe” campaign has begun!
I’ve been quite busy the past two weeks, but I just wanted to drop a short note to let folks know that a really cool new science cinematic experience is being crowdfunded on Indiegogo: Secrets of the Universe! This project, … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Physics
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Physics demonstrations: Lichtenberg figures
I am a big fan of nature and science-themed artwork, whether inspired by natural phenomenon or created by physical processes. In my office — which includes several pieces of work by Artologica, by the way — I have the following eye-catching piece. … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics demos
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Skulls in the Stars 