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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
Jane Marcet educates Michael Faraday
This post is in honor of Ada Lovelace Day, a celebration of the contributions of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Even when women weren’t officially recognized as scientists or allowed to pursue a formal education or career in science, … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Women in science
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The Last Revelation of Gla’aki, by Ramsey Campbell
I haven’t blogged about any of his books recently, but I have said many times before on this blog that Ramsey Campbell is my favorite horror author of all time. As I noted in a recent post, his novella Needing … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Lovecraft
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Paris: City of lights and cosmic rays
This post of mine originally appeared on the Scientific American guest blog some time ago. Considering it has been three years, and it’s always been one of my favorite pieces of writing, I thought it was time to “bring it … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Kitchen Science Lab for Kids, by Liz Heinecke
Though I spent a lot of time thinking about how to properly explain science in a way that is comprehensible to non-scientists, my biggest Achilles heel is my lack of experience in explaining things at a level that kids can … Continue reading
Posted in General science
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Nobel Prize roundup: It’s all about the optics!
This week, the Nobel Prizes for Physics and Chemistry were announced, and it was a photonics two-fer! The physics prize went to Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura “for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Science news
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“Count Like an Egyptian” over at The Finch & Pea!
For those who just can’t get enough of my writing (anyone?), I wrote a guest post over at The Finch & Pea about the book Count Like an Egyptian by David Reimer. Check it out! Not only do I discuss … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics, Personal
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Coming soon: The Complete Guide to Science Blogging!
It’s finally been officially announced, and I’m delighted to share the news here: in early 2015, The Complete Guide to Science Blogging will be published! Edited by amazing science communicators Christie Wilcox, Jason G. Goldman and Bethany Brookshire, this book will … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Science news
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Our Lady of Pain, by John Blackburn
(Over the next couple of days, I’m going to catch up on a few book posts. More detailed science posts in the works!) I’m happy to report that one of John Blackburn’s best books, Our Lady of Pain (1974), is … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Personal
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20 books that have stayed with me
A meme was going around on Facebook in early September, which I present as was assigned to me by my friend Ryan Cagle of Valancourt Books: In your status, list 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Personal
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Bertram Mitford’s In the Whirl of the Rising
Last week I found myself in the mood for some adventure fiction, and that made me immediately think of Bertram Mitford! A contemporary and competitor of sorts of H. Rider Haggard, Bertram Mitford (1855-1914) was a prolific writer of novels set … Continue reading
Posted in Adventure fiction
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Skulls in the Stars 