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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
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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Dead Reckonings #17 is available!
For those who are interested in reading analyses of the latest in horror literature and cinema, I’m happy to announce that Dead Reckonings No. 17 is now available! It includes articles by some of the best writers and scholars … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
4 Comments
Infinite hotels in swirling beams of light
I’ve noticed there seems to be a general unspoken rule about the relationship between mathematics and science: any mathematics, no matter how abstract or seemingly disconnected from reality, eventually finds use or representation in the natural world. For example, most … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics, Optics
12 Comments
Dr. SkySkull in China, part 4: the Silk Road Museum
Still have a few posts on China to write, even though I’ve been back for over two weeks! Can’t let all of these photos sit on my laptop with nothing to do. My last day in China was a Saturday, … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Travel
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Ghosts Know, by Ramsey Campbell
The British author Ramsey Campbell has long been my favorite writer of horror, and one of his novellas — Needing Ghosts — has the unusual distinction of being the only story I’ve ever read that made me doubt my sanity when … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Mystery/thriller
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Skulls in the Stars 