-
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
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
Posted in Science fiction
Leave a comment
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
1 Comment
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
2 Comments
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
Leave a comment
Invisible Monsters, by John Benyon Harris
Another post about invisibility in science fiction! All because I want to make dang sure that everybody knows that I have a book out about the history and science of invisibility! I’ve seen just about everything in science fiction stories … Continue reading
Posted in Horror, Invisibility, Science fiction
2 Comments
Three Miles Down, by Harry Turtledove
It is curiously that I’ve never read any works by Harry Turtledove until now. He is an incredibly prolific author famed for his alternate histories, such as his Southern Victory series about the South winning the Civil War and his … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
Leave a comment
The Invisible City, by Clark Ashton Smith
How many more invisibility stories in science fiction and horror can I find? I’m not even close to being done! In the meantime, remember that my book on the history and science of invisibility is now available! Just as there … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Science fiction
Leave a comment
In the Walls of Eryx, by H.P. Lovecraft and Kenneth J. Sterling
A post about another invisibility science fiction story, in anticipation of the release of my non-fiction book Invisibility: The History and Science of How Not to Be Seen! When I started researching invisibility stories, I was not only surprised by … Continue reading
Posted in Invisibility, Lovecraft, Science fiction
2 Comments
Raiders Invisible, by D.W. Hall
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
I am losing my mind. So: in the process of tracking down Rousseau’s The Invisible Death a few days ago, I learned that there is another story about invisibility, with almost the exact…
Posted in Invisibility, Science fiction
Leave a comment
The Invisible Death, by Victor Rousseau
Originally posted on Skulls in the Stars:
Will I ever run out of vintage science fiction stories about invisibility to write about? I hope so, because otherwise my book draft will never be polished off. Some authors of weird fiction…
Posted in Invisibility, Science fiction
Leave a comment
Skulls in the Stars 