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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: Physics
Optics, rain, and car headlights
One of the fun things about being a physicist is that occasionally you end up pondering some sort of everyday phenomenon that you’ve never thought about before and realize that you can explain it with some elementary physics! Some time … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Physics
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“Invisibility” recognized in Publishers Weekly!
Just a short note: my editor pointed out to me that my book made the “top ten” list of Spring 2023 science books at Publishers Weekly! Saving the relevant part of the page for my own personal record: This is … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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Physics demonstrations: Oculus Mundi
So, for some reason, my ten year old video on the Barkhausen effect went viral on YouTube the past few weeks, and brought me quite a few new followers there. I thought I’d do a short video to say “thanks … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Optics, Physics demos
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“Invisibility” has a cover and a release date!
Of course, my publisher never tells me these things, but the cover for my next popular science book, on the history and physics of invisibility, has been made public and the book has a release date! It was a challenge … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Invisibility, Personal
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Jupiter and its moons
This past Monday turned out to be a rather rare event for skywatchers: the planet Jupiter’s closest point of approach to the Earth since 1963! This was the coincidence of two situations. The first is the planet being in opposition … Continue reading
Posted in Physics, Science news
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Rough photos of lunar eclipse 2022
Today, May 16, is the 2022 International Day of Light, designated by UNESCO to recognize the role of light in science, art, and education. You can read more also at the optical society Optica’s webpage. I’m out of town for … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Physics
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The Handyman, by Lester Barclay
Let’s tackle another invisibility story! This one is a little different, in that it is a story about an imaginary invisible friend! “The Handyman,” by Lester Barclay, appeared in the October 1950 issue of Fantastic Adventures. It is short and … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Weird fiction
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Priestess of the Moon, by Ray Cummings
More invisibility? Okay, sure, why not. I may be cursed to blog about invisibility in fiction for the rest of my life. While preparing a post about McGivern’s “The Visible Invisible Man,” I suddenly realized that there is another story … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Science fiction
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The Visible Invisible Man, by William P. McGivern
Here’s another invisibility story — again, my book on the history and physics of invisibility will be out next year! The last we saw of William P. McGivern was his story “The Chameleon Man,” published in January of 1942. But … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Weird fiction
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Cloak of Aesir, by Don A. Stuart
This is the last of my daily run of blog posts for now, marking the 30th post in a row! Most of them have been on invisibility in fiction, and we wrap with a fascinating example. I’ve still got more … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Science fiction
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Skulls in the Stars 