Alan Murta 🇪🇺 🇺🇦

My old ARCAM amp wasn't happy and needed some TLC.

Another shot emerges of our recent #Squadron42 playtest event. Image credit: @SandiRoberts42 on X.

#Squadron42 cinematography.

Some examples of characters from our #Squadron42 trailer, featuring Rhona Mitra, Eleanor Tomlinson and Mark Hamill. The third image showcases some tech of mine, augmenting characters with dynamic features such as localized injuries and blemishes.

My routine this week, due to Covid.

Some guy claiming to be Luke Skywalker called by, so we tested him to see if he could do our own version of the Trench Run. #Squadron42

A first look at our recent #Squadron42 playtest event. The play space was made to resemble the flight deck of a capital ship hangar. Image credit: @OlliHull on X.

Our character rendering tech finally getting seen, with our big-name cast. #Squadron42

We have an official poster! #Squadron42

We released a game trailer! #Squadron42

Saturn imaged at 23:02 UT on 26 September 2026. 12" Meade LX-200, Player One Uranus-C camera. #Astrophotography

Saturn imaging session with a 12" Meade LX-200. #Astrophotography

I'm getting some good views of Saturn tonight. #Astrophotography

I am considering installing solar panels. Fortunately I have a 3D model of my house available to experiment with options.

I've just been out along my roof ridge to clean off some untidy excess mortar. Now feeling pretty saddle sore.

With a mix of old and new equipment I've set up a basic music studio in my attic. I've had the bass guitar and hi-fi amp for close to 40 years. The speakers are relatively new (30 years).

I just ordered my first 6-string guitar, so I'll likely become an inept guitarist as well as being an inept bassist.

Seeing some interesting clouds this evening - wondering if they are asperitas clouds.

I thought it might be a good time to replace my bass strings, as the ones currently on there are now 45 years old.

A rare look inside our Manchester office.

I took a quick look at #Saturn last night. Conditions were very good but technical issues prevented me from any proper imaging captures.

Portrait of the Sun moments before the 12 August eclipse.

An improved version of my 12 August solar eclipse footage. Northwich, UK.

A couple of solar eclipse shots. Northwich, UK.

I'm unsure how badly Bluesky mangles movies, but here's a quick time-lapse of today's solar eclipse, as seen from Northwich, UK.

I modified my binoculars for solar use, in preparation for the eclipse on 12 August.

Some photo restorations require multiple strategies. I don't like giving up.

Appalled by this short-sighted threat to Jodrell Bank.

Belize beauty contest from around 1978. This photo restoration involved an intricate nose job. Crop of a larger image.

Doing some photo restorations from old scans for a friend. Belize school prom, 1994.

Wearing a different hat today.

Steroid injections. Hopefully my fingers will stop locking up.

Thrilled to chance upon the Utah Teapot while out in Dublin.

The Moon and Venus this evening.

I can't render caustics without thinking of David Hockney. RIP.

30th anniversary of the Manchester bomb. I would normally have been in shopping the city at that time, but was out of town near the airport. I first suspected something was happening on seeing several Hercules military aircraft coming in to land.

To mark the return of Rush to the world stage here's me (on bass) knocking out a rough cover in 1982.

With my multimeter I finally diagnosed the boiler issue which had stumped three heating engineering companies. It was a rare microswitch fault in one of the zone valves. I'm no electrician but I know how to debug things: observe, hypothesize, test and repeat.

RIP Dick Parry - Pink Floyd saxophonist. 😢🎷https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoLhKJuGhK0

A 400mm lens is a great way to check roof repairs.

My new home office desk arrived today.

I encountered this handsome gentleman while gardening today.

I've not seen these two friendly neighbours for two years. They are seeing their rebuilt home with a new floor-plan for the first time and are no doubt very confused.

A bit of a different take on the amazing Artemis II launch footage. Here I stitched clips from the four Solar Array Wing Cameras to make this panoramic video. This is during the later part of the Core Stage burn until MECO and stage separation, sped up to 10x. 🔭🧪 #Artemis

Solar array wing camera view of the Moon (credit: @NASAArtemis). We produce some nice imagery in #StarCitizen, but sometimes reality is just next level.

Earthset, 6 April 2026.