Cosmic Deepsky vs Messier Journal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cosmic Deepsky
Explore the universe with a virtual telescope. Discover galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae with stunning real images and detailed information. A pocket guide to the cosmos.
- Virtual telescope functionality
- Detailed information on 4000+ galaxies
- Real astro-photographs of celestial objects
- Hand-measured and oriented images
- Exploration of deep sky objects
- Information on star clusters and nebulae
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Welcome to Cosmic Deepsky, where the marvels of the universe come alive through the lens of your device – your very own magic telescope. We live on a planet cruising through space, surrounded by the vast expanse of the cosmos. The canvas of our existence extends far beyond the confines of our planet, stretching into the depths of the celestial sphere above and below. By day, our atmosphere dances with the brilliance of sunlight, casting a cerulean glow upon the world. Yet, as night descends, a grand spectacle unfolds. Against the backdrop of darkness, myriad suns dot the heavens, weaving intricate constellations that have captivated humanity for millennia. Here, amidst the twinkling stars, lies the gateway to the deep sky – a realm where gas clouds and cosmic debris coalesce, painting celestial masterpieces with the strokes of light and gravity. Among these wonders, stars congregate in clusters, while others journey across the galactic plane in majestic arcs. Supernovae remnants and planetary systems adorn the spiral arms of our Milky Way galaxy, a cosmic tapestry of stellar life. Yet, the deep sky knows no bounds, extending far beyond our galactic borders to distant neighbors like the Magellanic Clouds and the majestic Andromeda galaxy. With Cosmic Deepsky, we invite you to peer into the depths of the universe like never before. Featuring the positions of the 4000 brightest and closest galaxies, alongside stunning real images of hundreds of them meticulously measured and oriented by hand, our app offers a unique window into the cosmic expanse. Delve into the depths of intergalactic space, where millions of galaxies beckon with their luminous allure, their distant light captured in mesmerizing astro-photographs. Embark on a journey of discovery and wonder as we unveil the mysteries of the cosmos. Through Cosmic Deepsky, may you find inspiration and awe in the boundless beauty that surrounds us, igniting a newfound appreciation for the magical universe we call home.
Messier Journal
This app helps Northern Hemisphere astronomers and astrophotographers discover, locate, and journal all 110 Messier objects. It provides detailed information, star maps, and tools to record observations and upload photos.
- 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
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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. SECURE: No sign in, no cloud, no tracking. You control your data & it remains on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Messier Journal at every 3 months against Cosmic Deepsky's every 23 months. Messier Journal also leads on price ($0.99 vs $2.99). Cosmic Deepsky's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Cosmic Deepsky costs $2.99 and Messier Journal $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Cosmic Deepsky against 5.0 for Messier Journal. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Cosmic Deepsky ships an update every 23 months, Messier Journal every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cosmic Deepsky | Messier Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 23 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 114 MB | 158 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Celestial Dynamics AG | Damon Degner |
Customer experience
Cosmic Deepsky
Messier Journal
In-app purchases
Cosmic Deepsky
No in-app purchases
Messier Journal
No in-app purchases





