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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
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
20 Comments
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
1 Comment
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
10 Comments
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
6 Comments
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
2 Comments
A camera fast enough to watch light move?
A few weeks ago, a new optical imaging system grabbed headlines throughout the world. This system, labeled a “picosecond camera”, can seemingly record images so fast that it can actually track the motion of light itself! Consider the following video … Continue reading
Posted in Optics
6 Comments
Weird Fiction Monday: The Brotherhood of Lightning
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, Personal
2 Comments
Weird science facts, December 21 — December 27
Time for a holiday edition of Twitter #weirdscifacts! Alas, there’s nothing particularly holiday-themed about this collection of facts, but they are weird! 648. Dec 21: Scientific paper retraction by reason of insanity? In 1951, an entomologist published a paper about … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
1 Comment
Todd Strasser’s “The Wave”
I haven’t had the opportunity to talk about any weird fiction for a while, and I thought I’d get back on the horse by discussing a short novel that technically isn’t “weird fiction”, but it definitely is weird and fiction! … Continue reading
Posted in Weird fiction
3 Comments
A Michael Faraday Christmas: “Forces of Matter”!
This post was written somewhat in conjunction with Jennifer Ouellette, who is posting at the same time at Cocktail Party Physics about Michael Faraday’s other classic Christmas lecture, The Chemical History of a Candle. Check it out, too! Ah, Christmas! … Continue reading
Posted in History of science
3 Comments
Skulls in the Stars 