# Messier Journal — Messier Object Photo Journal

> Journal Messier objects with location, observation details, and photo uploads. (iPhone/iPad app by Damon Degner.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messier-journal/id6753959873 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Damon Degner](https://appshunter.io/developer/1845946345)
- Category: Reference, Education
- Price: $0.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 141 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-10-16
- Data updated: 2026-08-23
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messier-journal/id6753959873/reviews.md

## What is Messier Journal?

For astrophotographers and visual astronomers in the Northern Hemisphere, who are collecting Messier objects.  This app will help you learn about, locate, and journal all 110 objects from the Messier Catalog.  It is a great way to keep an organized record of finding these celestial wonders.

FEATURES

LEARN: All 110 Messier objects are included with brief descriptions and photos.

LOCATE: Detailed star maps and right-ascension/declination coordinates included with each object.

FILTER: Narrow your search by constellation, difficulty, object type, peak month, & season.

EXPECTATIONS: What you can expect to see using binoculars, and small, medium, & large size telescopes.

PHOTO ALBUM: Upload photos from your - sketches, smartphone eyepiece views, astrophoto rig, or smart telescope. 
  
FAVORITES: Mark your favorite Messier objects.

DETAILS: Record date, time, location, equipment used, magnification, and any other pertinent notes.

STAT TRACKER: Keeps track of spotted object statistics by constellation, difficulty, object type, & season.

COLLAGE GENERATOR: Generate a collage of your captured objects.

BACKUP: Export/import options to transfer data between iOS devices.

## Key features

- Learn about 110 Messier objects
- Locate objects with star maps
- Filter objects by constellation and type
- Record observation details
- Upload astrophotography
- Track spotted object statistics
- Generate object collages

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/messier-journal/id6753959873/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Wow amazing app

*2026-04-08*

This app is so cool.  They have thought of everything.  This app not only helps you find the object easily it even shows you where it is located in reference to the proximity to our own place in the Milky Way.  Plus it gives you photos of what the object looks like and it is super easy to navigate in.  Absolutely perfect.  The one extra thing I would like to see is the size of the objects in arc minutes.  But that is minor compared to all this app offers.  Get it now.

### 5/5 — Go-to astrophotography companion

*2025-11-25*

Messier Journal has quickly become my go-to companion for astrophotography and visual observing. It strikes a great balance between being a clean logbook and a genuinely useful reference tool. I love how easy it is to record each Messier object I’ve shot or observed, attach photos, and have the app automatically pull date/time details from metadata. That alone saves a ton of manual tracking.

The layout is simple and well thought out, so I can find objects fast, check visibility and difficulty notes, and keep my progress organized without feeling like I’m managing a spreadsheet. The built-in scientific info is concise but solid, and the ability to add my own notes (seeing conditions, gear used, processing ideas, “retry with longer exposure,” etc.) makes it feel tailored to my workflow.

Overall, it’s a polished, practical app that makes documenting Messier sessions both easier and more enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone working through the catalog.

### 5/5 — Great for documenting Messier Objects!

*2025-11-12*

I am enjoying this app a lot.  It’s a great tool for easily documenting your Messier Object Astrophotography.  I was planning to use an excel spreadsheet before I found this app, and I’m glad I found it!  The interface is clean and intuitive, and I really like the scientific information.  It’s also nice to see info on shooting difficulty, location, etc.  

It’s super easy to upload photos, and it will pull the date/time from the metadata.  I appreciate the ability to add notes as well for images I want to collect more data on, or spend more time post-processing.

It’s a great informational and organizational tool!

## Frequently asked questions about Messier Journal

### What is Messier Journal used for?

Messier Journal is designed for astronomers and astrophotographers to learn about, locate, and keep a detailed record of all 110 Messier objects. It allows users to upload photos and track their progress.

### What information does Messier Journal provide for each object?

For each of the 110 Messier objects, Messier Journal includes brief descriptions, photos, detailed star maps, and right-ascension/declination coordinates. It also offers insights into what to expect with different telescope sizes.

### Can I record my own observations in Messier Journal?

Yes, you can record detailed notes about your observations, including the date, time, location, equipment used, magnification, and any other pertinent details. You can also upload your own photos and sketches.

### Does Messier Journal support users outside the Northern Hemisphere?

Messier Journal is specifically designed for users in the Northern Hemisphere. While it contains information on all 110 Messier objects, its location and filtering features are optimized for this region.

### How much does Messier Journal cost?

Messier Journal is a paid application, available for $0.99. This one-time purchase grants you access to all its features.

### What devices is Messier Journal compatible with?

Messier Journal is compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices. It is rated for ages 4 and up.

### How often is Messier Journal updated?

The latest version of Messier Journal is 1.2, which was last updated on March 30, 2026. Updates typically include improvements and new features based on user feedback.

### Does Messier Journal have ads?

No, Messier Journal does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application with no in-app purchases or ads, offering an uninterrupted user experience.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.3 — 2026-06-28

-updated object descriptions & photos
-added object size field (arcmins)

### 1.2 — 2026-03-30

Added maps showing object locations inside and outside of the galaxy.  Added CSV text export option.  Memory usage improvements.

### 1.1 — 2025-12-10

-export/import feature for transferring data between iOS devices
-printable observation log for visual astronomers
-export journal to PDF option
-added 'location' to observation data fields

### 1.0 — 2025-10-16

No release notes.

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## More apps by Damon Degner

- [Caldwell Journal](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caldwell-journal/id6755604638)

All apps by Damon Degner: https://appshunter.io/developer/1845946345

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-23.*
