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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
“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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Invisibility reviewed in the Times Literary Supplement!
I’ve been using my blog as a place to keep track of any mentions of my book on Invisibility: The History and Science of How Not to Be Seen, which came out early this year, and there’s one big review … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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What is quantum entanglement? Part 7: What does it all mean?
This is part 7 in a lengthy series of posts attempting to explain the idea of quantum entanglement to a non-physics audience. Part 1 can be read here, Part 2 can be read here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, and Part … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Invisibility talk at Natural Sciences at Raleigh!
Wanted to announce that I’ll be doing a Science Cafe at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences this coming Thursday, August 17th, at 7:00 pm! It will be both an in-person event as well as a livestream on YouTube, … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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Two new reviews of Invisibility!
Yesterday was quite the day for book reviews for my book on the history and science of invisibility! First, James Gleick wrote a very nice and thoughtful review of the book for the New York Review of Books; a screenshot … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Personal
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Skulls in the Stars 