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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
Sir Edmond Halley takes a dive! (1714)
If you study enough history of science, you learn that the things that scientists are most famous for are often not their only work of interest — or even the most fascinating thing they’ve done! The significance of a scientist’s … Continue reading
Posted in History of science
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Weird science facts, December 7 — December 13
Here we are again, with a week’s worth of #weirdscifacts! 634. Dec 07: Think your appetite is big? The black swallower can eat fish up to 3x its size! (h/t @sfriedscientist) A picture of this nightmarish fish, with a full … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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No “Weird Fiction Monday” this week!
Once again, life & work have conspired to keep me from writing (or editing) fiction! I’ll try and post some new weird tales next Monday.
Posted in Fiction
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Mireya Mayor’s “Pink Boots and a Machete”
In my studies of historical figures, I’ve reserved a special spot in my heart for those people whose lived their lives, for lack of a better word, “awesomely”. My criterion for such “awesome” people is to imagine them arriving … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Women in science
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Weird science facts, November 30 — December 6
Another week of non-stop Twitter #weirdscifacts! How much more can I go on??!! I hope for another few months, at least! 627. Nov 30: Bertholdia trigona, the tiger moth that can jam a bat’s echolocation with ultrasound! Bats seek their … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Open Lab 2011: the finalists announced! (and I’m one of them!)
I got a spot of nice news yesterday: the finalists for Open Lab 2011 were announced, and one of my posts will be included! For those who are unfamiliar, The Open Laboratory is a collection of the “best” science writing … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Science news
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Weird Fiction Monday: Away From It All
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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A Brief History of Stephen Hawking!
In September of this year, the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Canada opened their new Stephen Hawking Centre to provide more space for more researchers to investigate the foundations of physics. As part of their opening celebration, they … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Physics
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Weird science facts, November 23 — November 29
Another week of Twitter #weirdscifacts! It’s kind of hard to believe that I’ve been doing this for over 600 days straight. 620. Nov 23: Can’t beat this today: ‘Brinicle‘ ice finger of death filmed in Antarctic! Supercold brine descends, ever … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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No “Weird Fiction Monday” this week!
I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up a story a week indefinitely, and this week real life finally caught up with me! I ended up having to prepare a talk and a lecture all day Sunday, and today … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction
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Skulls in the Stars 