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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: Science news
Other blogging of Frontiers in Optics
By the way, if you’re looking for other blogging about the Frontiers in Optics meeting, there are 3 official bloggers this year, and they can be read here. I actually know Adam and Bob, and I’m absolutely convinced they’re trying … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Science news
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Frontiers in Optics: Monday
The main “act” on Monday at the conference was the Plenary Session/Awards Ceremony. Lots of scientists I’m familiar with (and whom I’ve met at one point or another) were given awards, including Joseph Goodman (known to students for his books … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Science news
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: mega-rings, nano-anglerfish, and resilient algae
New mega ring around Saturn discovered using Spitzer. The big news in astronomy this week is the discovery of a BIG, hidden ring around Saturn! Dave at Exploding Galaxies and other Catastrophysics gives us the details. Nano Anglerfish Snag Orphan … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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“Liveblogging” What’s Hot in Optics at Frontiers in Optics 2009
Each year, Frontiers in Optics has a session entitled “What’s hot in optics”. I thought I’d “liveblog” it (type it up on my computer and post it later) like I did last year; hopefully the comments make sense, considering I … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Science news
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Off to Frontiers in Optics 2009!
Today my life is complete chaos as I try and get things together for the OSA Annual Meeting, aka Frontiers in Optics 2009. Wouldn’t you know it, today is the day that suddenly a dozen extra meetings and phone calls … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Science news
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Themes for “The Giant’s Shoulders?”
The other day I was mulling over one of my recent ‘history of science’ posts, on an early physics crank whose work dates back to 1891. About the same time, I was thinking about other ‘challenges’ I could pose for … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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Ten days until The Giant’s Shoulders #16!
There’s 10 days left until the deadline for The Giant’s Shoulders #16! It will be held at Quiche Moraine, and entries can be submitted through blogcarnival.com or directly to the host blog, as usual!
Posted in General science, Science news
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: water on the moon, telescopes in history, seeing through other people’s eyes, and space travel
This was a very good week for my section of ResearchBlogging, and I had a hard time picking selections! In the news this month: discovery of water on the moon. Here, Megan at Rigel describes the recent, and independently confirmed, … Continue reading
Posted in General science, Science news
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: Antikythera, Admetus, and cyborg beetles!
The Antikythera Mechanism: Art or Science? The Antikythera Mechanism is a remarkable ancient machine which was discovered off the coast of the island of Antikythera in 1901; recent research has shown it to be more complicated than originally appreciated. Alun … Continue reading
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ResearchBlogging editor’s selections: Science and the public
(Cross-posted at ResearchBlogging.org news.) This week I hereby declare an unofficial theme of “science and the public” for my editor’s selections; at least that’s the way it turned out when I was choosing posts! What motivates the Zooites? In 2007, … Continue reading
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Skulls in the Stars 