Alan Murta 🇪🇺 🇺🇦
@alanmurta.bsky.social
Senior graphics programmer at Cloud Imperium Games. Planetary photographer. Formerly at TT Games and Computer Science lecturer. Inept bassist.
Relieved to find that my new telescope mount fits in my observatory, thanks to careful measuring and some 3D modelling done ahead of its purchase. It replaces the old Meade fork mount which had become unusable.
November 11, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Relieved to find that my new telescope mount fits in my observatory, thanks to careful measuring and some 3D modelling done ahead of its purchase. It replaces the old Meade fork mount which had become unusable.
I spent some time renovating my boiler room. It was my first attempt at floor levelling and tiling.
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I spent some time renovating my boiler room. It was my first attempt at floor levelling and tiling.
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), Souter Lighthouse, Whitburn, UK. 25 October 2025. #Astrophotography
October 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon), Souter Lighthouse, Whitburn, UK. 25 October 2025. #Astrophotography
Nice one I spotted in a UK crime drama (Endeavour).
October 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Nice one I spotted in a UK crime drama (Endeavour).
The R suffix on the tube label suggests the telescope dates from 2006. I purchased it second-hand around 2010, and it has served me well.
October 12, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The R suffix on the tube label suggests the telescope dates from 2006. I purchased it second-hand around 2010, and it has served me well.
Cleanly removing my 12" Meade LX200 from its old fork mount was tricky. I'm now waiting for a dovetail plate to arrive so I can attach it to its new Sky-Watcher mount.
October 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Cleanly removing my 12" Meade LX200 from its old fork mount was tricky. I'm now waiting for a dovetail plate to arrive so I can attach it to its new Sky-Watcher mount.
I just attended a great talk about interstellar asteroids at Jodrell Bank given by Prof Chris Lintott.
October 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I just attended a great talk about interstellar asteroids at Jodrell Bank given by Prof Chris Lintott.
Current DIY project: renovating my boiler room which includes levelling the concrete floor.
October 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Current DIY project: renovating my boiler room which includes levelling the concrete floor.
My 20+ year old telescope mount has finally become unusable. It's been temperamental for a long time, but is now worse than ever. I am looking into alternatives
September 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
My 20+ year old telescope mount has finally become unusable. It's been temperamental for a long time, but is now worse than ever. I am looking into alternatives
Saturn at opposition (21 September) and Rhea transiting Saturn (22 September). 12" Meade LX200 / Player One Uranus-C. #Astrophotography
September 23, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Saturn at opposition (21 September) and Rhea transiting Saturn (22 September). 12" Meade LX200 / Player One Uranus-C. #Astrophotography
I gave a tech talk to my work colleagues today. This wasn't the real topic, but maybe I fooled them for a moment. 😅
September 18, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I gave a tech talk to my work colleagues today. This wasn't the real topic, but maybe I fooled them for a moment. 😅
Saturn on 9 September 2025. 12" Meade LX200 / Player One Uranus-C. #Astrophotography
September 9, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Saturn on 9 September 2025. 12" Meade LX200 / Player One Uranus-C. #Astrophotography
Getting some sharp views of Saturn tonight. #Astrophotography
September 8, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Getting some sharp views of Saturn tonight. #Astrophotography
Morning walk around Dunham Massey Deer Park.
August 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Morning walk around Dunham Massey Deer Park.
I have acquired a copy of this Andy Saunders book a few days before its official release. A masterpiece - as was its predecessor Apollo Remastered.
August 23, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I have acquired a copy of this Andy Saunders book a few days before its official release. A masterpiece - as was its predecessor Apollo Remastered.
Congratulations to my former TT Games colleagues on the release of the LEGO Batman reveal trailer.
August 19, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Congratulations to my former TT Games colleagues on the release of the LEGO Batman reveal trailer.
New desktop microphone for my home office setup. All I need now are some colourful LEDs behind me and I can start podcasting. 😅
August 19, 2025 at 7:18 PM
New desktop microphone for my home office setup. All I need now are some colourful LEDs behind me and I can start podcasting. 😅
I'm off to see some death metal next year. Unfortunately they didn't offer a discount for seniors.
August 12, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I'm off to see some death metal next year. Unfortunately they didn't offer a discount for seniors.
I got my boxing equipment out today for the first time in years. I'm really rusty. There was a time when I could kick near head level.
August 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I got my boxing equipment out today for the first time in years. I'm really rusty. There was a time when I could kick near head level.
Taken around 33 years ago, this was my official staff photo when I was lecturing at the University of Manchester. It was displayed on the Computer Science Department photo board so the students could put names to faces.
August 1, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Taken around 33 years ago, this was my official staff photo when I was lecturing at the University of Manchester. It was displayed on the Computer Science Department photo board so the students could put names to faces.
With Ozzy Osbourne, 1982.
July 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
With Ozzy Osbourne, 1982.
I think my garden shed does better than that.
July 17, 2025 at 9:19 AM
I think my garden shed does better than that.
Saturn imaged at 02:50 UT this morning. 12" Meade LX200 / Player One Uranus-C. #Astrophotography
July 13, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Saturn imaged at 02:50 UT this morning. 12" Meade LX200 / Player One Uranus-C. #Astrophotography
This month I celebrate 25 years working in the games industry. Elixir Studios, TT Games, Cloud Imperium Games.
July 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This month I celebrate 25 years working in the games industry. Elixir Studios, TT Games, Cloud Imperium Games.