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.
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.
...Nor any drop to drink
Looking at stories of drought-ridden Earths in science and science fiction.
Water, water, everywhere...
Looking at the science and fiction of Drowned Earths.
There for the taking
Looking at resource mining beyond the constraints of the familiar earth.
Gyroscopes
Looking at the where the facinating physics of gyroscopes have appeared in science and science fiction.
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.
Second Satellites
Looking at the persistent idea in science fiction that Earth may have a second moon.
Postal Futures
Looking at the future (and past-future) of postal services and their role in science and science fiction.
Lunar Excursions
Looking at getting around on the Moon - the weird and wonderful vehicles which have been imagined as driving lunar excursions.
Tintin in Space
Looking at the famous comic book creation of Hergé and what his adventures tell us about contemporary understanding of space.
Time-Travelling Historians
Looking at narratives in which historians get a little closer to their subject than might be desirable.
Neutron Stars
Looking at the compact remnants left by massive stars, and their weighty impact on science fiction.
Place of the Throwing Stick
Looking at the Woomera rocket testing range in Australia, and how it's been represented in science fiction.
Fabrics of the Future
Looking at cloth and clothing in science fictional textiles.
The Predictability of People
Looking at stories of population manipulation and the statistical predictability of people.
Hearts of Stone
Exploring the discussion of silicon and other mineral-based life in science fiction.
Peculiar Planets
Exploring the peculiarly shaped planets that seem to be a constant fascination for science fiction authors and their readers.
Swords of Damocles
The fiction and threat of swords of Damocles hanging over all our heads - orbital weapons platforms.
Moholes
Exploring Moholes - high profile projects to drill through the Earth's crust.
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.