TUMOL

The Messier objects are a collection of 110 astronomical objects, which includes start clusters, nebula and galaxies, named after the French astronomer Charles Messier. Since there are so many of them, however, keeping track of all the available information about them can prove tricky.

TUMOL (The Ultimate Messier Object Log) is a database designed to collect relevant information about all Messier objects for easy access. It was created using FIleMaker Pro, and it can be edited by the user for adding notes, descriptions and more.

After launching the application, you will be able to access all the available information directly from the main window. If you’re just getting started, you may wish to open the main screen by clicking the “Enter Notes” button. Here, you can see details about each object and enter your own notes.

When adding notes, you can specify which of the objects you have seen, write down additional comments, information about the observation site, and so on. The data can also be viewed in a list for easier browsing.

It’s clear from the get-go that TUMOL doesn’t have the most stylish user interface or intuitive controls, which is understandable given that it is just a FileMaker Pro database.

Nevertheless, new users should find it pretty easy to work with the software, as it doesn’t take long to figure out how the layout was thought-out. If you have any issues, you can just consult the in-app documentation.

When it comes down to it, TUMOL is a great utility for users who just need an accessible way to store and view information about the Messier objects. It is quite easy to work with, and it allows you to write down notes about your own observations.