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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
Invisibility shortlisted for Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science!
Hi all! I always like to post nice book news here, partly for my own recollection, but I learned today that my book on Invisibility: The History and Science of How Not to be Seen was shortlisted for the 2024 … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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Robert Williams Wood and the mystery of anomalous dispersion (1901)
I’ve been hard at work in recent months on a new textbook on electromagnetic waves, and that has led me to dig deep into understanding a number of subjects, and their history, that I have only really casually considered in … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics, Physics
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Me, talking falling felines in LiveScience!
Recently, I was interviewed for a LiveScience article about how cats land on their feet, and the article came out today! Here is the link for those who are interested in hearing me talk falling felines, yet again! PS just … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Physics
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Invisibility – now in Italian!
I just wanted to share a quick note that I just received the Italian edition of Invisibility, and it looks fantastic! I am also happy to report that since the word “invisibility” is quite similar in Italian, they were able … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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My Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics colloquium at APL!
Back in January of this year, I gave a talk about Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and it was one of my favorite presentations on the subject, not to mention my most up-to-date! … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Physics demonstrations: tensegrity table
The best demonstrations of physics are those that show you something completely unexpected and counter to the way that physics is supposed to work. One of my favorites is this curious contraption, which I got through a Kickstarter a few … Continue reading
Posted in Physics demos
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Invisibility audiobook 70% off!
For those who enjoy audiobooks and haven’t yet gotten my invisibility book, this is just a quick note that Invisibility is now 70% off at audiobooks.com. I get full royalties even with the discount, so I’m totally cool with such … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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New TikTok video on the Barkhausen effect!
I’ve been neglecting my TikTok page as much as my blog, so here’s a video that makes up for both! I talk about the really cool Barkhausen effect, which allows you to actually hear metal being magnetized. I wrote about … Continue reading
Posted in Physics
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“The birth of electromagnetism” on TikTok!
I have made another history of science video for TikTok, this time focusing on the curious story of how electromagnetism was discovered in 1820 in an experiment that is utterly unique for one really big reason: Like a lot of … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Robert Williams Wood adds invisibility to his textbook (1911)
It’s kind of a fun phenomenon that no matter how thoroughly I research my history of science books, after they’re published I always find something that surprises me. In this case, I was tracking down some data on the physics … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Invisibility
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Skulls in the Stars 