Hidden Treasures List

The ‘Hidden Treasures’ list comprises 109 Deep Space Objects (DSO) compiled by the well known astronomer Stephen James O’Meara. It includes objects not included in either the Messier or Caldwell catalogues. This new list was compiled to fill ‘gaps’ in both the Messier and Caldwell lists. The Messier list was compiled as an aid to avoiding ‘embarrassing’ objects which might be mistaken for comets with the poor quality telescopes available at the time. The Caldwell list was compiled by Patrick Moore to include objects he thought were aesthetically pleasing, visually challenging or of astrophysical interest. 

O’Meara’s list is aimed at including the ‘best and brightest’ objects not included by Messier or Moore in their catalogues. The list was compiled over the course of 10 years and underwent more than two dozen revisions during that time, but finally comprises – 109 objects; 38 Open Star Clusters, 35 Galaxies, 14 Planetary Nebulae, 8 Globular Star Clusters, 8 Bright Nebulae, 1 Dark Nebula, 1 Star with a large proper motion and 4 Asterisms. Each ‘Hidden Treasure’ in the list is prefixed by the letter ‘X’ signifying ‘X’ marks the spot.

It is hoped the ‘X’ list will become as popular as those of Messier, Caldwell and the Herschel 400. It deserves to; not only because it contains many of the ‘best and bright’ DSOs neglected by both Messier and Moore, but also because it includes some of the most beautiful ‘Art de Ciel ‘.