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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
Physics demonstrations: Geiger counter
Update: Fixed a couple of incorrect statements regarding cosmic rays and the radiation of uranium. Thanks to encephalartos for the corrections! In recent months, I’ve been diving wholeheartedly into learning how to build and design electronics. My ultimate goal is … Continue reading
Posted in Physics demos
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Cloaking from earthquakes?
There has been a lot of excitement among researchers about the science of invisibility over the past decade, and a variety of designs of invisibility cloaks have been suggested since the groundbreaking 2006 papers. I’ve talked a lot about invisibility … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility
2 Comments
The Lost Skeleton Walks Among Us! (hopefully)
Proving once again that you can’t keep a good undead down, at least not the first or second time, it was recently announced that there will be a third film in the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (soon-to-be) trilogy! Being that … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Silliness
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The Giant’s Shoulders #72: The Seven Wonders
The 2nd century BCE marked an unusual milestone in the history of civilization. As the Greeks had conquered most of the civilized world, its citizens were more or less free to travel widely through Europe and the Middle East, to see … Continue reading
Posted in General science, History of science
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Help me help you!
Things have been rather busy and stressful at work over the past few weeks, in spite of the summer break starting, and I’ve consequently been neglecting the blog. I will be catching up again in the near future, but in … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Personal
2 Comments
Love is the Law, by Nick Mamatas
In my experience, Nick Mamatas’ novels are not pleasant to read — and I mean that in a good way. He is willing to dive wholeheartedly into ugly situations in his writing and challenge the reader with unhappy observations about the … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Mystery/thriller
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A Michael Faraday primer for COSMOS!
I’ve really been enjoying the new version of “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” though this Sunday’s coming episode has me more excited than any other! Titled “The Electric Boy,” the episode will focus on Michael Faraday (1791-1867), one of the most … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
7 Comments
Death by ball lightning
Lightning has been a source of fear and mystery through the entire history of mankind. Violent, unpredictable, and potentially deadly, it was often seen as an indication of divine judgment or displeasure. Now we know it is a natural electrical … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Horror, Physics
10 Comments
Jack Cady’s The Well
I’ve been meaning to write more about books not printed by Valancourt Books, but they’ve been on a roll recently with quite a few irresistible releases, and I’ve had a hard time staying away! The most recent one that caught … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
2 Comments
Physics demonstrations: The Phantom Lightbulb
Some of the most spectacular physics demonstrations rely on surprisingly simple science. Throughout history, for instance, very simple optics has been used to great effect to terrify and amaze audiences (see, for instance, Robertson’s Phantasmagoria). I recently came across such … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Physics demos
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Skulls in the Stars 