# Messier Planner

> Free astrophotography planner covering 23,000+ deep sky objects across the Messier, NGC, IC, Sharpless, LBN, LDN, Caldwell and 20+ other catalogues. Plan imaging sessions, track visibility from your location, simulate field of view for your rig, and log observations.

Messier Planner helps astrophotographers and visual observers decide what to image tonight. It combines real-time visibility calculations (altitude, transit time, moon interference, twilight windows), an equipment-aware rig planner, light pollution data, weather forecasts, a multi-catalogue object database, and a personal logbook. The community hub integrates with Picastro to surface example images of every target.

## Pages

- [Home](/): Tonight's best targets, weather, moon phase, and personalised dashboard.
- [Catalogue](/catalog): Browse 23,000+ deep sky objects with filters for catalogue, type, constellation, magnitude, and angular size.
- [Categories](/categories): Curated collections grouped by object type and theme.
- [Constellations](/constellations): All 88 IAU constellations with their notable deep sky objects.
- [Sky Atlas](/planetarium): Interactive celestial sphere planetarium with planets, moon, and catalogue overlays.
- [Session Planner](/planning): Plan a full imaging session across multiple targets with rig-aware scheduling.
- [Targets](/targets): Wishlist of objects you intend to image, scored by visibility for tonight.
- [Favourites](/favourites): Your saved deep sky objects.
- [Logbook](/logbook): Record completed observations and imaging sessions with integration time tracking.
- [Gallery](/gallery): Featured community astrophotography from Picastro.
- [Start Here](/start-here): Beginner's guide to using the planner.
- [Help Centre](/help-centre): How-to articles and FAQs.
- [Glossary](/glossary): A–Z astrophotography terminology.
- [Astronomy Tools](/astronomy-tools): Calculators and reference tools.
- [Astrophotography Software](/astro-software): Recommended capture and processing software.
- [Updates](/updates): Changelog of new features and fixes.
- [Data Sources](/data-sources): Catalogues and references used by the planner.
- [FAQ](/faq): Frequently asked questions.
- [Contact](/contact): Get in touch with the team.

## Optional

- [Privacy](/privacy): Privacy policy.