Apature and stars?

[Manok101]

I've recently ordered a 10" Dob to compliment my 4.5 inch, and I was thinking one of the things I would do first is find an object to compare what I can see with both, and was wondering what would be a good solid test to see the difference? Would stars look a tiny bit bigger? Or should I go for something like say a star cluster, or nebula?

[John]

Stars will (or should) always look like pinpoints, even though the largest scope. I find globular clusters really show the impact that increased aperture can have so I'd suggest M13 in Hercules would be a good test. You should see (light pollution allowing) more of M42 and, if the conditions are good and the scope well collimated, you should be able to see the fainter E & F components of the Trapezium group within M42.

You will see more stars in open clusters and more detail on the planets, again conditions allowing.

[brantuk]

Yup I'm with John on clusters and M13 is a good example. The extra aperture will be adequately demonstrated by comparing the number of stars you can resolve. You won't have to count them - but you'll deffo see them