-
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. -
Category Archives: Animals
Dinosaur feathers and other oddly-discovered science
Several days ago, a truly awe-inspiring and beautiful scientific achievement was announced to the public: the discovery of the first piece of amber ever found to actually contain the preserved tissue from the tail of a dinosaur, including bones, flesh … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, General science, History of science
2 Comments
Cat-turning in the Washington Post!
Those who have followed this blog for a while know that I have a fascination with the physics and history of “cat-turning,” the ability of a cat to turn over and land on its feet even when it falls with … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal, Physics
Leave a comment
A trip to the New England Aquarium
I’m in Boston for a couple of days to attend an optics meeting, and I snuck out for an hour this afternoon to visit the lovely New England Aquarium! Even though I’m a physicist, I love visiting such places, because … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Travel
Leave a comment
“Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics” Presentation!
For the new student convocation at UNCC this year, I was asked to give a “Thinking Matters” presentation for the new freshmen, in which I talk about some sort of interesting topic to, well, get the students thinking and excited … Continue reading
RIP Goldie, 2002(?)-2015
This morning, at about 8:45, our beloved cat Goldie passed away. Only the day before, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was affecting her movement and cognitive functions, and she had deteriorated rapidly over the course of the … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
3 Comments
1895: Cats meddle in geophysics
Updated slightly to add even more cat goodness! The more I research, the more it becomes clear that cats caused all sorts of mischief in the scientific community in the late 1800s! The source of this mischief is the feline … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, History of science, Physics
Leave a comment
How *do* cats land on their feet when falling, anyway?
This post is an exploration of some ideas I put together for a proposed magazine article. Will link to the article if and/or when it becomes available! Last year, I wrote a blog post about the history of “cat-turning”: the … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Physics
8 Comments
Hummingbirds at home!
I’ve been rather busy with work these past few weeks (months, even) and haven’t had as much time as I’d like to post good optics and history of science posts. In the meantime, I thought I’d share some recent pictures … Continue reading
Posted in Animals
2 Comments
A(nother) visit to the Duke Lemur Center!
One of the best-kept secrets that shouldn’t be a secret at all in North Carolina is the wonderful Duke Lemur Center, situated in Durham, NC. A research facility for the adorable but sadly endangered prosimians, it has the largest collection … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, General science
2 Comments
RIP Milo
I hate to have to do a post like this, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get peace of mind until I do. Last week, we took in a trio of foster kitties — Trixie, Milo and Bailey … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
15 Comments
Skulls in the Stars 