Why are the stars so tiny?

[E621Keith]

To use three stars alignment, you will need an accurate date/time and location entry. Then you should pick three widely separated stars. Usually I pick stars that is separated by around 120deg. I think the reason Polaris wasn't listed for 2 stars alignment is because it's too close to the NCP.

Three stars alignment works most of the time.

Also, which eyepiece are you using? You change magnification by changing eyepieces. I have seen a number of my non astronomer friends turning the focuser thinking they are zooming in. I guess in this age of auto-focusing camera, a lot of people only experienced zooming but not focusing. They told me about Jupiter wasn't very good clear and has many black dot. It didn't sound right so quick check showed they completely defocused the scope and the black dot they see were dust on the optics. They were amazed after I swap to a higher power eyepiece and refocused the scope.