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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. -
Category Archives: General science
Do scientists debate? Not like that they don’t
This is gonna bit a bit of a rant like the old days of blogging. A few days ago we had anti-vaccine crank and poison pill presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. show up on Joe Rogan’s equally cranky podcast … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science
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Science Chamber of Horrors reminder!
Hi folks, I’ve been a little busy with work lately and unable to do much blogging, but I thought I’d remind y’all that I also have started up my Science Chamber of Horrors Tumblr, where I share creepy tidbits I … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Horror, Personal
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Consider the Platypus, by Maggie Ryan Sandford
As I’ve said a number of times, the pandemic really destroyed my ability to read, and now that I’ve achieved some sense of mental stability again I’m working to catch up on a bunch of the books that I just … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, General science
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Me on This Week in Science!
I’m having a lot of fun doing video chats on science shows lately! A few days ago, I happened to see that This Week in Science talked about some optics that I am familiar with, and I jokingly complained to … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Optics
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Effects of explosions on the ear (1887)
Here’s another blog post inspired, in part, by my work on my upcoming book on Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics! When we discuss our ideal impressions of science, we often imagine repeatedly doing laboratory experiments in which every variable is … Continue reading
A visit to Orchids by Hausermann
I haven’t written a blog post for over a month, so I thought I should stop in and do something! I’ve had quite a few ups and downs in life over that month, as well as some travel and a … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Personal, Travel
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Twitter Weird Science Facts: Full Year and Final Volume!
This is it — the last regular installment of my Twitter weird science facts! I’ve done a full year of weirdscifacts, averaging one fact per day for the entire year (though I’ve had to play catch up on missed days … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Weirdscifacts
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Twitter Weird Science Facts, Volume 19
Happy Holidays! Nearing completion of a full year of facts! Read on to learn what this strange leech-based device was designed to do.
Posted in General science, Weirdscifacts
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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
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Twitter Weird Science Facts, Volume 18
Getting soooo close to having done a full year of Twitter weirdscifacts! Read below to learn the amazing ability that this seemingly ordinary European robin possesses.
Posted in General science, Science news, Weirdscifacts
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