What can i expect from a Orion Xt10?

[¤Chins Up¤]

My current telescope is a 102mm maksutov cassegrain with a f.l of 1300. My new telescope is on the way, how will the Xt10 compare to the 102mm? When I look at the andromeda in the 102, it looks like a faint blob, with the xt10 will it look amazingly bright or will I say ugghh... it is not what i expected... How will the planets compare such as saturn or jupiter? will I be able to see the disks of the moons of jupiter? How many of saturns moons can I see? Will I be able to see pluto? I am very excited, it is coming tomorrow, and I think tomorrow night is going to be cloudy...=(

 

[Arkalius]

Theoretically that scope can allow you to see Pluto, but only if your pupils are fully dilated and you're under dark skies. Even then it wouldn't look like much but a faint dot.

With really good seeing conditions, Jupiter's moons may seem to be disc-like with that scope.

Andromeda should be notably brighter. As to whether it will amaze you... well I can't tell you that. That's up to you. Planets will be brighter and you can potentially see more detail with good seeing conditions.

Generally speaking, more aperture isn't going to seem that impressive under a lot of light pollution. It will show you more, certainly, but it can't beat the sky glow. Get under some really dark skies though and a 10" scope will definitely give you more than the 4" mak.