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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
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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Helgoland, by Carlo Rovelli
Book 1 of my new modest goal of reading and blogging about 26 books this year! This one is a little bit of a cheat, as I read much of it near the end of last year, but I finished … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Invisibility a Choice Reviews Outstanding Academic Title for 2023!
I’ve been a bit quiet on the blog due to the holiday craziness and a frantic rush to submit a grant proposal before the deadline, but I will hopefully be back on track in the near future. But I wanted … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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What is a zero refractive index material?
I’m currently writing a textbook on Electromagnetic Waves for my graduate optics students. I was reading up on zero refractive index materials for a chapter section and thought it would be fun to write a popularized account of their fascinating … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Physics
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From the archives: Barkla shows that x-rays have polarization (1905)
Thought I’d share an old post from the physics archives, talking about a very important yet largely forgotten milestone in physics: the demonstration that X-rays are in fact another type of electromagnetic wave!
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Skulls in the Stars 