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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
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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“On matter as a form of energy” (written in 1881)
It is unarguably the most famous scientific equation of all time: . This equation, developed in the early 1900s by Albert Einstein as a consequence of his special theory of relativity, implies that energy and mass are equivalent and interchangeable, … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Weird science facts, November 16 — November 22
Another week of Twitter #weirdscifacts!!! 613. Nov 16: In 1898, August Bier tested effectiveness of spinal anesthesia on assistant by beating crap out of him. I quote: “Bier stabbed, hammered and burned his assistant, pulled out his pubic hairs and … Continue reading
Posted in Weirdscifacts
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Skulls in the Stars 