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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
Invention of the “perfect” invisibility cloak?
In 2006, a number of researchers made international headlines with the announcement that they had laid the theoretical foundations for the construction of an “invisibility cloak,” a device that has been a staple of horror, fantasy and science fiction for … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Optics
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Foster kitty Tiny!
I’ve been rather overwhelmed with work, travel, and sick cats lately, so I haven’t had the time or energy to write significant science blog posts — this will change soon! In the meantime, I thought I’d ask people to spread … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
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E.R. Eddison’s The Worm Ouroboros
If you were to ask most people to name the truly classic works of fantasy fiction, you would almost certainly hear J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” (1954-55) and “The Hobbit” (1937), as well as C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy fiction
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“Are beech-trees ever struck by lightning?” (1889)
Short answer: yes! It’s easy to forget how relatively little we knew about the natural world even only a hundred years ago. I came across a rather amusing and macabre example in the July 19, 1889 issue of Science magazine … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science
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Weird Fiction Monday: The Worm
It’s time for Weird Fiction Monday, when I post stories that I’ve written — both new and old — for the entertainment (hopefully) of my readers! As always, I note that I haven’t done extensive editing of the tales here, … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction
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Halloween treats 2012 (Updated!)
It is time again for my yearly dose of creepy and classic horror stories for some chilling Halloween reading! You can also read my previous editions: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and my 2010 post on the true story of the “Lady of the … Continue reading
Posted in Horror
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Invaders from Mars! Reports from the 1938 invasion
Note: One of a couple of Halloween-themed posts for the season! While researching a post for my new Tumblr “Science Chamber of Horrors“*, I ended up reading the October 31st, 1938 edition of The Evening Independent newspaper of St. Petersburg, … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Entertainment, History of science
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The Giant’s Shoulders #52 — “Loads more heroes edition” — is out!
I’ve been silent on the blog for the week because I was attending the Frontiers in Optics meeting of the Optical Society of America in Rochester, NY this week. Hopefully I’ll have more to say about that soon, but… In … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Introducing the “Science Chamber of Horrors”!
Those who have been following this blog for a while know that I spent two full years posting a daily “weird science fact” on Twitter, which have all been compiled into posts here. I still carry on the weird science … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Horror
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Best Science Writing Online 2012 is out!
I thought I’d put up a short post letting people know that the 2012 edition of the “Best Science Writing Online” has been published — and I’m in it! You can see my name in the right-most red column on … Continue reading
Posted in Science news
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Skulls in the Stars 