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Cosmic Stories Blog

This blog exists to explore conceptions and representations of science or science communication through the medium of fiction. A new blog entry is posted every two weeks. For updates follow me on Twitter @Tiylaya, mastodon, bluesky or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicStoriesSF.

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01 Dec

(Anti?) Social Networks

Looking at the relationship between social media, science and science fiction

17 Nov

Astronomer-ology II

Looking at the relationships between professional astronomers and science fiction for the second time.

03 Nov

The Shadow of Heisenberg

Looking at the role and impact of physicist Wehner Heisenberg on science and science fiction.

20 Oct

Sargassos of Space

Looking at how the myths, imageries and concepts of the Earth's Sargasso Sea have been translated to space in science and science fiction.

06 Oct

...Nor any drop to drink

Looking at stories of drought-ridden Earths in science and science fiction.

22 Sept

Water, water, everywhere...

Looking at the science and fiction of Drowned Earths.

08 Sept

There for the taking

Looking at resource mining beyond the constraints of the familiar earth.

25 Aug

Gyroscopes

Looking at the where the facinating physics of gyroscopes have appeared in science and science fiction.

11 Aug

Submariner Spacemen

Looking at the way science fiction has used the parallels between the skills of submariners and those needed in the exploration of space.

28 Jul

Second Satellites

Looking at the persistent idea in science fiction that Earth may have a second moon.

14 Jul

Postal Futures

Looking at the future (and past-future) of postal services and their role in science and science fiction.

30 Jun

Lunar Excursions

Looking at getting around on the Moon - the weird and wonderful vehicles which have been imagined as driving lunar excursions.

16 Jun

Tintin in Space

Looking at the famous comic book creation of Hergé and what his adventures tell us about contemporary understanding of space.

02 Jun

Time-Travelling Historians

Looking at narratives in which historians get a little closer to their subject than might be desirable.

19 May

Neutron Stars

Looking at the compact remnants left by massive stars, and their weighty impact on science fiction.

05 May

Place of the Throwing Stick

Looking at the Woomera rocket testing range in Australia, and how it's been represented in science fiction.

21 Apr

Fabrics of the Future

Looking at cloth and clothing in science fictional textiles.

07 Apr

The Predictability of People

Looking at stories of population manipulation and the statistical predictability of people.

24 Mar

Hearts of Stone

Exploring the discussion of silicon and other mineral-based life in science fiction.

10 Mar

Peculiar Planets

Exploring the peculiarly shaped planets that seem to be a constant fascination for science fiction authors and their readers.

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This blog exists to explore conceptions and representations of science or science communication through the medium of fiction. This includes, but is not limited to, science fiction in literature, film and television, as well as other adventure fiction and their various paratexts. I decided to create this space as a forum in which to present my own views and activities in this area, which are - inevitably - presented from the point of view of an active research astrophysicist, rather than a literary theorist or specialist in communications or media. Nonetheless, I choose to make these thoughts public in case they provide entertainment or interest to others, and in the hope of stimulating conversations in the interface between the realities of our Universe and the ways in which we choose to represent and explore it in fiction. A new blog entry is posted every two weeks. For updates follow me on Twitter @Tiylaya, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CosmicStoriesSF.

Comments are very welcome, including those disagreeing with my views or conclusions, but should be phrased respectfully and will be moderated before posting.

The views and ideas expressed in this blog are my own and do not in any way represent the views of the University of Warwick.