Orion Skyquest XT10 Classic

[StarGazer47]

I just bought an Orion Skyquest XT10 Classic, On a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the worse and 10 the best, what would you rate this 10 inch telescope? Can you see detail on DSO's and detail on the planets??

[Pete Presland]

i don't know about scales of 1 to 10, but in answer to your other questions -

yes to both, mars (surface detail), Jupiter (cloud belts, moons, red spot) and Saturn (rings, cloud belts, moons) will all show detail.venus and mercury will show there phases.

dso's will mostly look like grey smudges, apart from clusters, double stars, which will look quite impressive.

[rory]

a 10 inch scope like that will be superb for seeing loads of objects. just remember though, they dont look like the photographs you see in books and magazines, you wont get much visally in the way of colours like that. most things are grey/silver ,with occasional hints of colour at most.

great scope by the way.

[John]

The Orion Skyquest XT10 Classic is basically the same scope as the Skywatcher Skyliner 250PX (optics are exactly the same) so have a look though the forum and see how highly regarded these scopes are - the answer is very !

The views won't look like the photos you see but have a look at sketches made with similar scopes for a more realistic assessment of what can be seen. Viewing conditions / light pollution are the main factor that determines what you can actually see on any given night though. They can sometimes make a great scope perform poorly so, if you are underwhelmed it's likely to be the conditions rather than the scope.

[swamp thing]

Seeing as you've already got the scope the best way to find out what it can show you is................well, to look through it

A 10" scope is a very powerful tool for deep sky observing and planetary work. From a good dark sky site this size scope will give truly spectacular views.

Enjoy.

[knobby]

Seeing as you've already got the scope the best way to find out what it can show you is................well, to look through it

A 10" scope is a very powerful tool for deep sky observing and planetary work. From a good dark sky site this size scope will give truly spectacular views.

Enjoy.

I bet he'd love to ... but it won't stop raining!