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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 fiction
The Space Vampires, by Colin Wilson
Book 4 of my 26 books for 2024 goal! I’m a little behind, but in fairness, February is a short month. Why 26 books? I normally can read much, much faster than that pace, but the way life and work … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Lovecraft, Science fiction
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Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
For day 14 of Blogtober, we look at a book that is technically science fiction, but it is also horrific in a number of ways! This science fiction classic describes an area of the planet where aliens made a pit-stop … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Science fiction
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Phantom of the Seven Stars, by Ray Cummings
I’ve been trying to post something every day to the blog for as long as I can, and it has been quite an exhilarating ride! I’m nearing the end of that run, and what better way to celebrate it, and … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Science fiction
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Night of the Big Heat, by John Lymington
I don’t know exactly what first drew my attention to Night of the Big Heat (1959), by John Lymington. I suspect I was browsing through some Wikipedia posts about alien invasion movies, and caught sight of the 1967 film adaptation … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Science fiction
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The Little Black Bag, by C.M. Kornbluth
As long as I’ve been having fun tracking down classic science fiction stories that I absolutely love, let me share at least one more! “The Little Black Bag,” by C.M. Kornbluth, first appeared in the July 1950 issue of Astounding … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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Prisoner of the Vampires of Mars, by Gustave Le Rouge
Sometimes you just have to read a book because of its title. This was certainly the case when I decided I wanted to read Prisoner of the Vampires of Mars (1908-1909), by Gustave Le Rouge! Like, the title has everything! … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Science fiction
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Relook at “Giants From Eternity,” by Manly Wade Wellman
In my investigations of classic pulp magazines over the past year, I’ve come across some classic stories and real gems that I had forgotten about. One of these guilty pleasures is “Giants From Eternity,” by Manly Wade Wellman, published in … Continue reading
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A Subway Named Mobius, by A.J. Deutsch
I’ve spent a lot of time talking about short stories about invisibility, but my searches have occasionally reminded me of some of my other favorite, non-invisibility-related, science fiction stories. Today I thought I’d take a short look at “A Subway … Continue reading
Posted in Mathematics, Science fiction
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Rogue Moon, by Algis Budrys
Oh, what the heck — as long as I’m thinking of Algis Budrys’ work, and I’m still on a blogging roll, let me say a few words about his most famous novel Rogue Moon (1960). I read it on a … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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Hard Landing, by Algis Budrys
Some time ago, I read Rogue Moon (1960), by Algis Budrys, a classic science fiction novel about an alien deathtrap maze discovered on the moon and the man willing to die over and over again to discover its secrets. I … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
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