What Should I Expect To See With An Orion XT8?

Well, it is capable of it, under a dark sky and favourable conditions (e.g. no Moon). The minimum needed is usually quoted as a 6" scope. The biggest problem will be finding them in the first place - "visible" means "visible to an experienced observer" - an newcomer may see exactly the same view and "see" nothing. A manual Dob is not really the best thing - it'll work fine but slow you down significantly. You won't be doing a single night Messier marathon any time shortly.
 
Yes, but better under dark skies, with clear, calm air overhead. You can see most with a 4.25, and all with a 6, and brighter with an 8 inch fast newtonian.
Also quite a few NGC galaxies and clusters, some planetary nebs at high power, Moon and planets of course, perhaps some dark nebs too if very clear.
Many on line sources of lists of objects brighter than 11th magnitude for extended objects, 13th magnitude for stars.
 
Well, it is capable of it, under a dark sky and favourable conditions (e.g. no Moon). The minimum needed is usually quoted as a 6" scope. The biggest problem will be finding them in the first place - "visible" means "visible to an experienced observer" - an newcomer may see exactly the same view and "see" nothing. A manual Dob is not really the best thing - it'll work fine but slow you down significantly. You won't be doing a single night Messier marathon any time shortly.
 
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