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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 secret molecular life of soap bubbles (1913)
Nature can be extremely devious in the way it hides its secrets. Sometimes the most remarkable and profound insights are staring us right in the face every day in the most mundane phenomena. For instance, we have all seen the … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics
11 Comments
Physics demonstrations: Magdeburg hemispheres
Sometimes one can demonstrate very profound and remarkable physics with very simple, even mundane, tools. Last week I received the tools to perform one such demonstration by mail: This pair of iron hemispheres, with handles attached and a valve on … Continue reading
Posted in Physics demos
22 Comments
An American in Spain, part 6: Real Alcázar of Seville
Part 6 of a photo travelogue of my recent trip to Spain with my wife and her family! (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5) On our first full day in Seville, we spent the morning visiting the Seville Cathedral, … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
2 Comments
Coherence, plasmons, and me!
I don’t often talk about my own research on this blog… heck, I don’t think I’ve ever talked about my own research here, come to think of it! I thought it would be a nice change of pace to describe … Continue reading
Posted in Optics
10 Comments
“Arago’s inadvertent test of relativity” in Optics & Photonics News!
This is just a short post to announce that my third popular science article written for a magazine appeared online today! “Arago’s inadvertent test of relativity” has appeared in the May issue of Optics & Photonics News, the news magazine … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Personal
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T.C. McCarthy’s “Exogene”
Most of us are familiar with the Greek myth of Pandora and her eponymous box. In a standard telling, Pandora is given the box by Zeus but is explicitly told never to open it. Pandora’s curiosity gets the better of … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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Physics demonstrations: the Pythagoras cup
The past few weeks I’ve been preparing a lot of entertaining demonstrations of physics principles for a Science and Technology Expo to be held at UNC Charlotte on April 29th. I thought I’d start writing short posts highlighting the various … Continue reading
Posted in Physics demos
20 Comments
The Giant’s Shoulders #46 is out!
Delayed a week due to technical issues, the long-awaited 46th edition of The Giant’s Shoulders history of science blog carnival is up at Providentia! It’s a doozy, featuring things such as: How Jewish leaders reacted to Darwin’s theory of evolution, An … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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An American in Spain, part 5: Seville Cathedral
Part 5 of a photo travelogue of my recent trip to Spain with my wife and her family! (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4) Updated some descriptions thanks to commenter VA! When we woke up on Monday morning, the massive … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
4 Comments
“Mathematical Methods” on sale for $62 at Cambridge!
Just a quick note: for those who might have been interested in my textbook, Mathematical Methods for Optical Physics and Engineering, but who found the list price a bit expensive, Cambridge University Press is selling it for 30% off until … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
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Skulls in the Stars 