-
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
Death by ball lightning
Lightning has been a source of fear and mystery through the entire history of mankind. Violent, unpredictable, and potentially deadly, it was often seen as an indication of divine judgment or displeasure. Now we know it is a natural electrical … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Horror, Physics
10 Comments
Physics demonstrations: The Phantom Lightbulb
Some of the most spectacular physics demonstrations rely on surprisingly simple science. Throughout history, for instance, very simple optics has been used to great effect to terrify and amaze audiences (see, for instance, Robertson’s Phantasmagoria). I recently came across such … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Physics demos
Leave a comment
How many quarks would a charm quark charm if a charm quark could charm quarks?
Fundamental physics is having quite a spectacular season. In mid-March, the collaborators of the BICEP2 telescope announced the first direct evidence of cosmic inflation, answering a long-standing question about the beginnings of the universe. Now, on the heels of that … Continue reading
Posted in Physics, Science news
Leave a comment
My appearance on WCNC television!
Today I appeared on NBC Charlotte on “Larry’s Look” to promote our upcoming UNC Charlotte Science and Tech Expo and show off some science demos! You can check out the video at this link. Don’t ask me what I thought of … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Physics demos
Leave a comment
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
My appearance on WCCB TV!
In the annals of “shameless self-promotion,” I should note one more appearance I’ve made in local media! Yesterday, a journalist from WCCB TV in Charlotte stopped by my office to interview me on camera about invisibility physics and the interesting … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
3 Comments
A brief NPR interview with me on invisibility!
Continuing my recent streak of self-aggrandizing posts, I wanted to point out (again, for those who don’t follow me elsewhere) that I recorded a short interview the other day for our local Charlotte NPR affiliate, WFAE, on the physics of … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
Leave a comment
Dr. SkySkull talking invisibility in the News & Observer!
This has already been making the rounds via other social media today, but for those who aren’t on Facebook or Twitter (lookin’ at you, Dad!), I was interviewed by the News & Observer about invisibility physics and the article appeared … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
4 Comments
1842: Jean-Daniel Colladon guides light with water
Big technological advances often start with very humble beginnings. If you’re reading this post on the internet right now, it is almost certain that the information has come to you at some point in the journey in the form of … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics, Physics demos
4 Comments
