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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
Science Online 2012: A visit to the North Carolina Museum for Natural Sciences
The second of a series of posts chronicling my observations and experiences at Science Online 2012, which I attended last week. I love museums! My parents, especially my father, started taking me to science museums and zoos in the Chicago … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Travel
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Science Online 2012: Weird and Wonderful Stories in the History of Science
This is the first of a series of posts summarizing my observations and experiences at Science Online 2012, which I attended last week. When I was starting out as a student of physics, most of the stories I heard … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Personal
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Weird science facts, January 18 — January 24
Been a quiet week on the blog, thanks to my participating in Science Online 2012, which was one of the most fun and interesting events ever!!! We’re back with Twitter #weirdscifacts, however, and this week includes a number of facts … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Weird science facts, January 11 — January 17
Still going strong on Twitter #weirdscifacts! This will likely be the last significant post of the week, due to my attending ScienceOnline 2012! (I posted my facts one day late this week, in solidarity with those in opposition to the … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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The Giant’s Shoulders #43 is out — People, places & things!
The 43rd edition of the history of science blog carnival The Giant’s Shoulders is out today over at The Dispersal of Darwin! Go there to read about the people, places and things of the history of science, including: Victorian poet scientists Legends … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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François Arago: the most interesting physicist in the world!
When he was seven years old, he tried to stab a Spanish solider with a lance When he was eighteen, he talked a friend out of assassinating Napoleon He once angered an archbishop so much that the holy man punched … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science
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Weird science facts, January 4 — January 10
Time again for another week’s roundup of Twitter #weirdscifacts! This week we reached the dubious milestone of fact #666! To celebrate, we provide a bonus fact, and two of the facts this week are my own posts on WEIIIIIIRD OPTIIIIIIICS!!! … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Weird Fiction Monday: Convergence
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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So, what is a “temporal cloak”, anyway?
I’ve been saying for a few years that optical science has entered a truly remarkable new era: instead of asking the question, “What are the physical limitations on what light can do?”, we are now asking, “How can we make … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Optics
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Weird science facts, December 28 — January 3
Happy New Year! A new year, another week of new Twitter #weirdscifacts! 655. Dec 28: Beware the “ball-cutter fish“! What’s the worst interpretation of the term “ball-cutter fish” you can imagine? Yep, that’s what it is! (via @kzelnio & @deepseanews) … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Skulls in the Stars 