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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
Dr. SkySkull in China, part 3: the Terracotta Army
There have been two books sitting on the shelf in my office for as long as I can remember. They are picture books about the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, constructed to serve the … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Travel
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The Sea of Ash, by Scott Thomas
A short break from my China posts to catch up on some weird fiction blogging! In 1870, a spiritualist named Simon Brinklow disappears as he is pulled into a barrel full of leaves at a farm in Vermont. In 1920, … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Weird fiction
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Dr. SkySkull in China, part 2: the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
I arrived in Xi’an late on a Saturday night, two hours later than expected due to a weather delay flying out of Beijing. So I was pretty exhausted on Sunday, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to get out … Continue reading
Dr. SkySkull in China, part 1: Overview
The blog has been quiet this past week because I’ve been literally halfway around the world! I was invited to China to give a pair of scientific talks and plan out some collaborative work. The trip was productive and fun, … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Travel
9 Comments
Unconventional skydives: helicopter jump!
I haven’t posted any skydiving videos for a while, largely because I’ve long depended on other people, with cameras, to video me in freefall. This Christmas, my lovely wife got me a GoPro, however, and the other day I finally broke … Continue reading
Posted in Sports
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The comics moment that most inspires me: Suicide Squad
Update: Forgot to say “thank you” to my Dad for mailing me my complete “Suicide Squad” collection, which made this whole post possible! I suspect that people who don’t read comics fail to realize how much kids can be inspired … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Personal
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Michael Talbot’s The Bog
A novel about an archaeologist digging up 2000 year-old bog bodies in the UK that have been mauled by some mysterious ancient creature? A supernatural creature that is awakened by the excavations and begins to stalk and kill again? Yes, … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Horror
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1975: The year that quantum mechanics met gravity
Since the revolutionary development of both theories in the early twentieth century, it is fair to say that general relativity and quantum mechanics have had a rather hostile relationship to one another. One reason for this is simple a matter of … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Mary SanGiovanni’s “Chaos” and “Thrall”
My first encounter with the work of Mary SanGiovanni was her dark and elegant chapbook No Songs for the Stars, and it left me intrigued and interested in reading more. Fortunately, I had a short vacation to Mexico a few … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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RIP Goldie, 2002(?)-2015
This morning, at about 8:45, our beloved cat Goldie passed away. Only the day before, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was affecting her movement and cognitive functions, and she had deteriorated rapidly over the course of the … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
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Skulls in the Stars 