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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: Personal
Dr. SkySkull in Greece: Walking around Athens
In my last travel post, I talked about my first evening in Athens, in which I walked around with a new friend and explored the Acropolis and a number of other ancient sites. The next day I had all to … Continue reading
Dr. SkySkull in Greece: The Acropolis
In my last travel post, I described a little bit of the island of Spetses in Greece, where my second optics workshop took place. As the workshop schedule didn’t include any crucial talks on the last day I was originally … Continue reading
Dr. SkySkull in Finland: Koli National Park
Whew! I just got back from a long two-week trip to Europe, in order to attend a pair of optics meetings. The first of these was in Joensuu, Finland, and the second was on the island of Spetses in Greece. … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Travel
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Dead Reckonings #23 is available!
Interested in reading literary critiques of the latest horror fiction, and analyses of the same? Well, you’re in luck, because issue #23 of the Hippocampus Press literary magazine Dead Reckonings is now available! As in a number of earlier volumes, … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Personal
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RIP Emil Wolf, 1922-2018
On Saturday morning, my PhD advisor and friend Professor Emil Wolf passed away at the age of 95. He was a singularly gifted scientist as well as an extraordinarily kind and wise person. It is fair to say that I … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Personal
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RIP Sabrina, 2006-2018
Even when you know it is coming, and soon, it is never easy to lose a animal friend. Last night, after a six month struggle with cancer, my beloved Sabrina passed away at the age of 12. I had been … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
19 Comments
Dr. SkySkull on WCNC!
For those who just can’t get enough of seeing me on camera (read: my parents), yesterday I did a very short spot on WCNC TV to promote UNCC’s Science and Technology Expo that is happening tomorrow, noon-4 pm, on the … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Personal, Physics
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RIP Fluff, 2011-2018
Losing a beloved animal friend is always hard, but it is even harder when they are taken from you too soon. Last night, unexpectedly, our beloved kitty Fluff passed away at the age of 6. He apparently passed very quickly, … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Personal
6 Comments
Spoiler-filled The Last Jedi thoughts and open discussion thread (updated)
When I saw The Force Awakens two years ago, I needed a place to share my thoughts without sharing Star Wars spoilers all over the internet, and my blog turned out to be the perfect place to do it. The … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Personal, Science fiction
31 Comments
Dr. SkySkull in Rome: Via Appia
Final part in a series of photo essays on my recent trip to Rome. Part 1 can be read here, Part 2 can be read here, Part 3 can be read here, and Part 4 can be read here. Sunday was our … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Travel
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Skulls in the Stars 