I would emphasize that 8 inches is the point at which it becomes possible to see a 14th magnitude object. This requires a very dark sky, excellent weather, and possibly averted viewing.[1] Pluto is mag 14.4 right now and Celestron describes observing it as "the ultimate challenge". https://www.celestron.com/blogs/knowledgebase/the-ultimate-g... They recommend a telescope of 11 inches. (Though they do sell telescopes...)
Also note that the XT8 is a manual, non-motorized scope, so you'll need to find Pluto by hand, navigating from neighboring stars. This can be unexpectedly difficult. The sky is big!
And just to be really annoying, to address people who have never looked through a telescope before: an amateur telescope will give you the ability to see the comet, but it won't look like a photograph from Hubble. It'll just be a dim white dot. If you spend $500 and expect to see jaw dropping astronomical vistae, you will be disappointed.
Also note that the XT8 is a manual, non-motorized scope, so you'll need to find Pluto by hand, navigating from neighboring stars. This can be unexpectedly difficult. The sky is big!
And just to be really annoying, to address people who have never looked through a telescope before: an amateur telescope will give you the ability to see the comet, but it won't look like a photograph from Hubble. It'll just be a dim white dot. If you spend $500 and expect to see jaw dropping astronomical vistae, you will be disappointed.
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Averted_vision