Having studied M42 through my Celestron 8SE with the supplied 25mm and Celestron X-Cel 10mm eyepieces last winter I was curious to see how well the ST80 could display it using the same eyepieces, as well as the standard ones that came with the telescope; I was pleasantly surprised at how good the views were.

From memory of last year's viewing through the 8SE I remember the view being much larger, though that could have been through the 38mm (2mm, won't fit the ST80).

I was able to clearly make out three stars at the centre, and the three stars in a line leading to the outer edge of the nebula. The classic bird shape was distinguishable using averted vision, along with the sharp-edged black area at the 'top' (as seen through the telescope).

I could certainly see a lot more than was possible with my 8x42 binoculars so the telescope viewing was well worth the effort.

Also tonight using the same eyepieces I viewed Jupiter and could clearly make out two rings using the X-Cel 10mm, also Pleiades and Betelgeuse for good measure.

This viewing was over a moderately light-polluted part of the village - above the local pub and my neighbour (who always has some exterior lighting on until late), and the main road with street lighting, although there were no direct lights shining at my observing spot; taking all of that into account I was suitably impressed with the ST80's performance tonight.