POANDY

....a greatly increased image of THE EARTH'S atmosphere....??? Not Jupiter's I'm assuming. I really appreciate all the comments and suggestions, people! I don't know if the more experienced members of this forum remember their initial frustration getting these things figured out, but I have had a terrible time....virtually worthless instruction manual supplied with scope, and some truly confusing videos on the web have caused me to doubt my sanity a few times over the last few weeks. This has been very helpful. Thanks!!!

Thanks, johninderby...I have seen that article previously. I think my inexperience/inflated expectations are the issue here.......I'm thinking Hubble-like resolution HAHAHAHAAAAAA

Thanks, Neutron! I did see that! Exactly like that!!! Maybe my expectations were off. When I saw the moons, I thought it was a distortion in the image!! Grrrrr..... So, now I want a closer image of Jupiter. If I use my 3x Barlow and a 13mm eyepiece, I should get a greatly increased image of the planet itself, right? I know the math to determine maximum magnification, sorry...I am just using the barlow/13mm as an example of what I want to try.

I have recently bought a used Meade computerised telescope (Meade AR6 LXD55 6" f/8 Refractor ) and have the same issue. I am using the "diagonal" thingy and the 26mm eye piece that came with the scope. Jupiter fills the eyepiece, but it just looks like a perfectly round white dot. I am fairly sure it's Jupiter as the computer moves the telescope into roughly (another separate thing I need to figure out) the right position in the sky. I can focus the scope on trees and distant landmarks, no problem. Nice and crisp and clear. it's a new moon right now, so I can't try looking at it for a few days.